Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 17 October 2024 –The Integrated Rural Development project was launched on 17 October 2024 in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan with participation of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and in cooperation with UNDP.

IsDB Group Regional Hub in Almaty Kazakhstan which oversees the implementation of the project, has commended the Government of Uzbekistan as a strategic partner in the implementation of the project. ”We hope to continue this partnership successfully with the Government of Uzbekistan and UNDP,” says Wahyu Wijayanto, Operations Team Leader, at IsDB Group Regional Hub Almaty.

The first phase of the project has seen the completion of the community development plans across Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara and Navoiy regions. Currently, the project is moving faster with the construction of the rural infrastructure. ”We are launching the second phase of the project to amplify the development results in Samarkand, Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions,” Wahyu Wijayanto elaborates.  

On 28 March  2024, a Presidential Decree was adopted to launch the second phase of the "Integrated Rural Development" project aimed at socio-economic improvement of life in remote areas of Uzbekistan. To accomplish the set tasks, the Ministry of Economy and Finance with participation of the IsDB is launching the Integrated Rural Development Project Phase II, which would cover 157 makhallas in 21 districts of Samarkand, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions in 2024-2028. The project is worth US$ 293.5 million.

According to Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, the joint effort in advancing sustainable rural development in Uzbekistan has seen remarkable progress in empowering rural communities, enhancing infrastructure and addressing critical needs in areas such as education, healthcare, and basic services.

The new project is aimed at improving the living standards of rural residents by improving road infrastructure, rural electrification, and application of resource-saving and environmentally friendly technologies in construction and renovation of social facilities such as schools, health clinics, agro-processing and market infrastructure.

It is also planned to empower and strengthen the capacity of the local communities, local authorities and other stakeholders in designing and implementing community development plans using suitable green and energy efficient as well as digital solutions.

As noted during the opening event, the project will contribute to reducing rural poverty through inclusive and sustainable growth and aims to improve the living conditions of more than 622 thousand people from rural areas.

The first phase of the project, operating since 2022, pursued the same objectives and covering construction and renovation of facilities of remote areas to improve the quality of life of the rural population in 170 makhallas of 20 target districts of the country.

Currently, with the active participation of the local population, 900 subprojects have been selected for further construction or renovation during 2024-2025.