From economic growth to societal development: Uzbekistan's priorities in new political cycle

Uzbekistan’s annual New Year’s Eve address set 2026 as the Year of Mahalla Development and Society as a Whole, shifting policy focus toward quality of life, civil society and local communities. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said 2025 brought strong economic and social gains, including GDP above $145 billion and a lower poverty rate. The address also emphasized anti-corruption, WTO-related procurement reform and environmental priorities.

Uzbekistan’s GDP exceeded $145 billion in 2025, while exports rose 23 percent to $33.4 billion.

Foreign exchange and gold reserves surpassed $60 billion, and investment inflows reached $43.1 billion.

The unemployment rate fell from 5.5 percent to 4.9 percent, and about 5 million people gained sustainable sources of income.

The poverty rate declined from 8.9 percent to 5.8 percent, lifting about 1.5 million citizens out of poverty.

The president said 2026 would be a year of extraordinary measures to combat corruption and announced plans to hold the next Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the Central Asian International Environmental Exhibition in Samarkand in 2026.

Published Sep 15, 2026 7:01 am KST

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev meets with local residents. Courtesy of Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea

The traditional annual address of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, delivered on New Year's Eve, became an important programmatic statement summarizing the results of the outgoing year and outlining the country’s strategic development priorities for the period ahead.

As the head of state emphasized, the past year marked a period of steady progress in reforms and the strengthening of Uzbekistan’s socio-economic position, despite ongoing instability in the global economy and a complex international environment. In this context, the announcement of the coming year as the “Year of Mahalla Development and Society as a Whole” gained particular significance, signaling a transition toward a deeper focus of state policy on people’s quality of life and the development of civil society.

In his address, the president noted that the national economy continued to demonstrate confident growth. 2025 concluded with landmark achievements: for the first time, the country’s GDP exceeded $145 billion, exports increased by 23 percent to $33.4 billion, and foreign exchange and gold reserves surpassed $60 billion. Investment inflows totaling $43.1 billion enabled the implementation of dozens of major projects in industry, energy and infrastructure. International rating agencies upgraded Uzbekistan’s sovereign credit rating from BB- to BB, opening more favorable conditions for external financing.

It was particularly emphasized that these macroeconomic results were accompanied by positive changes in the social sphere. Owing to active employment policies, the unemployment rate declined from 5.5 percent to 4.9 percent, and around 5 million people gained sustainable sources of income. Significant attention was devoted to supporting low-income families, developing targeted social assistance mechanisms and improving access to basic services. The poverty rate decreased from 8.9 percent to 5.8 percent within a year, lifting approximately 1.5 million citizens out of poverty.

These outcomes were the result of consistent reforms aimed at enhancing economic resilience and creating a solid foundation for social development. Economic achievements expanded the state’s capacity to address social challenges and implement long-term support programs for the population. President Mirziyoyev noted that social policy has become more responsive to the concrete needs of citizens, which represents a fundamental achievement of the current reform agenda.

Special attention in the address was devoted to Uzbekistan’s foreign policy course, which was characterized as pragmatic, open and oriented toward long-term national interests. The president emphasized that an active and balanced foreign policy remains a key factor in ensuring sustainable development, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening Uzbekistan’s international standing. It was noted that in recent years the country has significantly expanded the geographical scope of its foreign economic relations, reinforced partnerships both with neighboring states and leading global centers, and consistently continued to promote regional cooperation initiatives. This course reflects Uzbekistan’s aspiration to assume a more visible and responsible role in international affairs, guided by the principles of mutual benefit and respect.

The address also addressed the reform of the public procurement system as one of the key elements in enhancing transparency and efficiency in public administration. President Mirziyoyev stressed that improving public procurement mechanisms is aimed at creating equal conditions for businesses, fostering competition and ensuring the efficient use of budgetary resources.

These measures are viewed as an important part of Uzbekistan’s preparation for accession to the World Trade Organization. In this context, reforms in the field of public procurement acquire not only domestic but also external economic significance, as they contribute to aligning national procedures with international standards and rules. Thus, the outlined steps reflect a systemic approach to Uzbekistan’s integration into the global trade and economic system.

A separate section of the address focused on anti-corruption efforts, which were identified as one of the key priorities for further development. The president underscored that the fight against corruption is regarded not as a one-time campaign, but as a long-term state policy aimed at establishing an honest, transparent and accountable system of governance.

“Allowing corruption is a betrayal of our reforms. We declare 2026 a year of ‘extraordinary measures’ to combat this scourge,” the president stated.

It was noted that the measures already being implemented — such as the digitalization of public services, increased transparency in decision-making and strengthened public oversight — are producing tangible results, though they require further deepening. The emphasis on the anti-corruption agenda demonstrates a commitment to strengthening trust among citizens and international partners in state institutions.

Considerable attention in the address was also given to environmental issues and sustainable development. The president noted that the environmental agenda is becoming an integral part of state policy and is directly linked to the quality of life of the population and the country’s long-term security. The importance of rational use of natural resources, the expansion of green technologies, and the implementation of programs to improve environmental conditions — especially in the most vulnerable regions — was underscored.

Plans were announced to hold the next Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the Central Asian International Environmental Exhibition in Samarkand in 2026. These events will create valuable opportunities to identify partners for industries, regions and businesses, and to jointly launch new environmental projects. It was emphasized that environmental initiatives are viewed not only as a social necessity, but also as a key element of economic modernization and enhanced resilience.

Taken together, these priorities demonstrate the comprehensive nature of the ongoing reforms. They indicate that the course toward socially oriented development is inseparably linked with institutional transformation and international integration. This approach reflects Uzbekistan’s determination to build a balanced development model in which economic growth, social sustainability and responsible governance mutually reinforce one another.

Summarizing the results of the concluding year, the head of state stressed that all these achievements became possible due to a well-structured reform system and the active participation of society. At the same time, he underlined that further development requires not only economic resources but also a stronger social environment, trust and solidarity. It was within this logic that the proposal was made to declare the coming year the Year of Support for the Mahalla, as the institution closest to people and their everyday concerns.

In the address, the mahalla was characterized as a unique form of social organization that has absorbed centuries-old traditions of mutual assistance, responsibility and respect. The president emphasized that the stability of the state begins with the stability of the mahalla, with an atmosphere of harmony and engagement at the local level. “If there is order and trust in the mahalla, there will be stability in society as a whole,” this idea became one of the key messages of the address, logically linking past achievements with future objectives.

Support for the mahalla in the coming year is viewed as a systemic measure aimed at further strengthening social policy. The president pointed out that it is precisely at the mahalla level where family issues, employment challenges, education, social protection and the prevention of social vulnerability can be identified most effectively. In this sense, the development of mahalla structures becomes a tool for increasing the targeting of state assistance and enhancing social justice. The economic achievements discussed earlier thus find their continuation in the social domain.

A significant part of the address was devoted to citizen participation and the development of civil society. The president stressed that a modern state is impossible without active and responsible citizens involved in decision-making and oversight of implementation. In this context, the mahalla is seen as a space for fostering civic initiative and dialogue between authorities and the population.

“We must create conditions under which every person feels involved in the destiny of the country,” the head of state noted, outlining a strategic commitment to expanding public participation.

Special emphasis was placed on the role of the mahalla in youth education and the strengthening of social values. The president noted that alongside economic indicators, the formation of a moral, educated and socially responsible individual remains no less important. Support for projects in education, culture and sports implemented at the mahalla level is regarded as an investment in the country’s future. “The future of Uzbekistan depends on the environment we create for our children today,” this quotation from the address clearly reflects the long-term orientation of state policy.

Thus, the declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Mahalla Development and Society as a Whole” demonstrates the state’s intention to move from macro-level achievements toward deeper engagement with quality of life, human capital and social institutions. It signifies a concentration of efforts on strengthening local communities, developing social infrastructure and fostering an active and cohesive society.

The president’s address sets a clear development vector for the year ahead: reliance on achieved economic successes, reinforcement of social policy, and the advancement of civil society through support for the mahalla. This approach reflects a strategic understanding that the sustainability of reforms and the country’s long-term prosperity are impossible without strong communities, trust and citizen participation. In this context, support for the mahalla emerges not only as a social priority, but also as a foundation for Uzbekistan’s long-term development.

This article was provided by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea.

乌兹别克斯坦在新年致辞中宣布2026年为“社区发展与全社会发展年”，政策重点转向提升生活质量、发展公民社会和建设地方社区。总统沙夫卡特·米尔济约耶夫表示，2025年乌兹别克斯坦取得了强劲的经济和社会发展，包括国内生产总值超过1450亿美元，贫困率下降。致辞还强调了反腐败、世贸组织相关采购改革和环境保护等优先事项。

乌兹别克斯坦 2025 年 GDP 超过 1450 亿美元，出口额增长 23%，达到 334 亿美元。

外汇和黄金储备超过 600 亿美元，投资流入达到 431 亿美元。

失业率从 5.5% 降至 4.9%，约 500 万人获得了可持续的收入来源。

贫困率从 8.9% 下降到 5.8%，使约 150 万公民摆脱了贫困。

总统表示，2026年将是采取非常措施打击腐败的一年，并宣布计划于2026年在撒马尔罕举办下一届全球环境基金大会和中亚国际环境展览会。

发布于2026年9月15日 上午7:01（韩国标准时间）

乌兹别克斯坦总统沙夫卡特·米尔济约耶夫会见当地居民。图片由乌兹别克斯坦驻韩国大使馆提供。

乌兹别克斯坦总统沙夫卡特·米尔济约耶夫在除夕夜发表的传统年度国情咨文，成为一份重要的纲领性声明，总结了过去一年的成果，并概述了该国未来一段时间的战略发展重点。

正如国家元首所强调的，尽管全球经济持续动荡，国际环境复杂多变，但过去一年乌兹别克斯坦在改革方面取得了稳步进展，社会经济地位也得到加强。在此背景下，宣布来年为“社区发展和社会整体发展年”具有特殊意义，标志着国家政策将更加注重提高人民生活质量和促进公民社会发展。

总统在讲话中指出，国民经济继续保持强劲增长势头。2025年以一系列里程碑式的成就圆满落幕：国家GDP首次突破1450亿美元大关，出口额增长23%至334亿美元，外汇和黄金储备超过600亿美元。总计431亿美元的投资流入，推动了数十个工业、能源和基础设施领域重大项目的实施。国际评级机构将乌兹别克斯坦的主权信用评级从BB-上调至BB，为该国获得外部融资创造了更为有利的条件。

报告特别强调，这些宏观经济成果伴随着社会领域的积极变化。由于积极的就业政策，失业率从5.5%下降到4.9%，约500万人获得了可持续的收入来源。政府高度重视扶持低收入家庭，制定有针对性的社会援助机制，并改善基本服务的可及性。贫困率在一年内从8.9%下降到5.8%，约150万公民摆脱了贫困。

这些成果得益于旨在增强经济韧性、为社会发展奠定坚实基础的一系列持续改革。经济成就提升了国家应对社会挑战、实施长期民生扶持计划的能力。米尔济约耶夫总统指出，社会政策更加贴近民众的实际需求，这是当前改革议程的一项根本性成就。

讲话重点阐述了乌兹别克斯坦的外交政策方针，指出其务实、开放，并以长远国家利益为导向。总统强调，积极平衡的外交政策仍然是确保可持续发展、拓展经济机遇和提升乌兹别克斯坦国际地位的关键因素。讲话指出，近年来，乌兹别克斯坦显著扩大了对外经济关系的地域范围，加强了与邻国和全球主要中心国家的伙伴关系，并持续推进区域合作。这一方针体现了乌兹别克斯坦在互利互敬原则指导下，在国际事务中发挥更加积极和负责任作用的愿望。

讲话中还提到，改革公共采购制度是提高公共行政透明度和效率的关键要素之一。米尔济约耶夫总统强调，完善公共采购机制旨在为企业创造公平竞争环境，促进市场竞争，并确保预算资源的有效利用。

这些措施被视为乌兹别克斯坦加入世界贸易组织的重要组成部分。在此背景下，公共采购领域的改革不仅具有国内经济意义，也具有国际经济意义，因为它们有助于使国家程序与国际标准和规则接轨。因此，上述步骤体现了乌兹别克斯坦融入全球贸易和经济体系的系统性方法。

总统在讲话中专门用一个章节重点阐述了反腐败工作，反腐败被列为未来发展的关键优先事项之一。总统强调，反腐败并非一次性运动，而是一项旨在建立廉洁、透明、负责的治理体系的长期国家政策。

总统表示：“纵容腐败是对我们改革的背叛。我们宣布2026年为‘非常规措施’年，以打击这一祸害。”

报告指出，目前正在实施的各项措施——例如公共服务数字化、提高决策透明度和加强公众监督——已取得显著成效，但仍需进一步深化。对反腐败议程的重视体现了政府致力于增强公民和国际伙伴对国家机构的信任。

总统在讲话中也重点关注了环境问题和可持续发展。他指出，环境议程正日益成为国家政策的重要组成部分，并与人民生活质量和国家长远安全息息相关。讲话强调了合理利用自然资源、推广绿色技术以及实施改善环境状况（尤其是在最脆弱地区）的各项计划的重要性。

会议宣布计划于2026年在撒马尔罕举办下一届全球环境基金大会和中亚国际环境展览会。这些活动将为各行业、地区和企业寻找合作伙伴，并共同启动新的环境项目创造宝贵机遇。会议强调，环境举措不仅被视为社会必需，也是经济现代化和增强韧性的关键要素。

综上所述，这些优先事项体现了当前改革的全面性。它们表明，迈向社会导向型发展的道路与体制转型和国际一体化密不可分。这一方针反映了乌兹别克斯坦致力于构建均衡发展模式的决心，在该模式下，经济增长、社会可持续性和负责任的治理相互促进、相辅相成。

在总结上一年的工作成果时，国家元首强调，所有这些成就的取得都得益于结构完善的改革体系和社会的积极参与。同时，他也强调，未来的发展不仅需要经济资源，还需要更强大的社会环境、信任和团结。正是基于这种理念，有人提议将来年定为“支持社区服务年”，因为社区服务是与民众及其日常生活息息相关的最紧密的机构。

在讲话中，马哈拉被描述为一种独特的社会组织形式，它吸收了数百年来互助、责任和尊重的传统。总统强调，国家的稳定始于马哈拉的稳定，始于地方层面的和谐与参与氛围。“如果马哈拉秩序井然、互信互助，整个社会就会稳定。”这一理念成为讲话的关键信息之一，将过去的成就与未来的目标巧妙地联系起来。

来年对社区的支持被视为一项旨在进一步加强社会政策的系统性措施。总统指出，家庭问题、就业挑战、教育、社会保障和社会脆弱性预防等问题，恰恰在社区层面才能得到最有效的识别和解决。从这个意义上讲，发展社区结构成为提高国家援助精准度、促进社会公平的工具。此前讨论的经济成就也因此在社会领域得以延续。

总统在讲话中用了相当多的篇幅来阐述公民参与和公民社会发展的重要性。他强调，如果没有积极负责的公民参与决策和监督执行，现代国家就不可能存在。在此背景下，社区被视为促进公民倡议和政府与民众对话的场所。

“我们必须创造条件，让每个人都觉得自己参与到国家的命运中来，”国家元首指出，并概述了扩大公众参与的战略承诺。

会议特别强调了社区在青年教育和社会价值观强化方面的作用。总统指出，培养有道德、有教养、有社会责任感的公民，与经济发展同等重要。支持社区层面开展的教育、文化和体育项目，被视为对国家未来的投资。“乌兹别克斯坦的未来取决于我们今天为孩子们创造的环境”，总统讲话中的这句话清晰地体现了国家政策的长远方向。

因此，将2026年定为“社区发展与社会整体发展年”表明，该邦有意从宏观层面的成就转向更深入地关注生活质量、人力资本和社会机构。这标志着该邦将集中精力加强地方社区建设，发展社会基础设施，并培育一个积极和谐的社会。

总统的讲话为未来一年的发展指明了方向：依靠已取得的经济成就，加强社会政策，并通过支持社区来促进公民社会的发展。这一方针体现了一种战略性的认识，即如果没有强大的社区、信任和公民参与，改革的可持续性和国家的长期繁荣就无从谈起。在此背景下，支持社区不仅成为一项社会优先事项，也成为乌兹别克斯坦长期发展的基石。

本文由乌兹别克斯坦驻韩国大使馆提供。