The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors discussed and endorsed today the Uzbekistan Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the period 2022-26. The CPF will guide the World Bank Group’s work for the next five years supporting the Government of Uzbekistan’s strategic priorities outlined in the National Development Strategy for 2022-26.
Uzbekistan joined the World Bank Group’s institutions in 1992-93,* and the new CPF marks 30 years of partnership between the Group and Uzbekistan. Since 2017, this partnership has evolved into strong cooperation, as reflected by the unprecedented level, diversity and dynamism of World Bank Group financing, knowledge products and technical assistance.
The World Bank and IFC have supported Uzbekistan’s ambitious reforms to transform and modernize its economy, society and private sector, thereby contributing to the achievement of many important milestones for the country. Notable examples include the elimination of forced labor from the cotton harvest through reforming the agriculture sector and the launch of first large-scale, privately developed and operated renewable energy facility – the solar photovoltaic power plant in the country’s Navoi region.
The new framework will support three strategic objectives to accelerate Uzbekistan’s transition towards an inclusive and sustainable market economy: 1) increase inclusive private sector employment; 2) improve human capital; and 3) improve livelihoods and resilience through greener growth.
The CPF will also pursue cross-cutting objectives that are indispensable for a successful transition and for Uzbekistan to achieve its 2030 ambitions: 1) closing gender disparities; and 2) strengthening citizen participation and accountability for public services.
“The Government of Uzbekistan welcomes the adoption of the new Country Partnership Framework that we will implement jointly with our partners from the World Bank, IFC and MIGA,” noted Jamshid Kuchkarov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan. “It will contribute to the successful implementation of the National Development Strategy for 2022–26 and will help the country reduce poverty by half by 2026, and achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.”
The CPF was developed based on a comprehensive analysis of Uzbekistan’s remining development challenges and potential opportunities through a Systematic Country Diagnostic, as well as lessons learned from the implementation of the previous CPF and extensive consultations with the central and local authorities, civil society, the private sector, academia, and international development partners.
“Building on the successful cooperation of the last five years, the CPF aims to direct the World Bank Group’s assistance to help Uzbekistan implement the next generation of reforms, bringing to the service of Uzbekistan the knowledge accumulated in other countries in transition,” said Tatiana Proskuryakova, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia. “As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our partnership with Uzbekistan this year, we look forward to supporting the country in continuing to build an inclusive and sustainable market economy focused on enhancing the prosperity and well-being of all citizens.”
Today, the World Bank’s program in Uzbekistan consists of 28 projects supporting various economic and social reforms and the modernization of various sectors, with commitments totaling $5.26 billion. These include concessional credits from IDA for roughly $3.23 billion (issued at zero or very low interest for a period of 30 years and provided for a grace period of 5 years) and loans from the IBRD for $2.03 billion. About $2.66 billion of these total commitments is still to be disbursed and will contribute to the implementation of the new CPF.
“Uzbekistan is undergoing an unprecedented economic transformation, thanks to historic reforms driving the private sector’s growth,” said Wiebke Schloemer, IFC Director for Central Asia and Turkey. “We will continue supporting the country on this journey, from investing and mobilizing more funding across key sectors, to helping to strengthen its financial infrastructure and launching more pioneering PPPs to boost service delivery and foster sustainable economic growth.”
IFC has invested $230 million in Uzbekistan, supporting 18 projects across sectors to spur private sector growth and development. Its investments have been complemented by advisory work including supporting the government in preparing state-owned banks for privatization, transforming the cotton sector, developing the chemicals industry, and piloting landmark health and power PPPs.
In 2021, MIGA provided guarantees for the construction and operation of a 1,500 MW greenfield combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in the country’s Syrdarya region.
* The World Bank (the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA)) in 1992, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in 1993.