The principle of "New Uzbekistan – a welfare state" implies comprehensive support of the population

Social policy in our country contains a wide range of issues related to combating poverty, creating jobs, and supporting socially vulnerable segments of the population. Investments in human capital are at the same time a contribution to the social and economic sector of the country's development. Moreover, according to a study by the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, improving the quality of human capital leads to an increase in the inflow of foreign direct investment by 0.51 percent. 

Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan in a new version, adopted following a national referendum, once again confirmed the commitment and focus of the State on caring for its citizens from the first days of their birth, regardless of social status. At the same time, it is worth noting that the state did not come to this principle immediately, since the domestic social policy was formed in stages, that is, in the process of long negotiations, permanent compromises and economic opportunities. 
The consolidation of the statement in the Constitution that Uzbekistan is a sovereign, democratic, legal, social and secular State increases its social obligations.
It should be noted that the welfare state generally guarantees high-quality education, qualified medical care, comprehensive support for families, children, women, the elderly and people with disabilities, provides housing and employment to those in need, creates safe working conditions and reduces poverty.
All of the above-mentioned state guarantees began to be reflected in the last decade of our country, which entered world history as the New Uzbekistan.
First, the Strategy of Action on the five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 and the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 identified as priorities: building a humane state by elevating human honor and dignity and further development of a free civil society; turning the principles of justice and the rule of law into a fundamental and necessary condition for the development of the country accelerated development of the national economy and ensuring high growth rates; the implementation of a fair social policy, the development of human capital; ensuring spiritual development and raising this area to a new level; an approach to global problems based on national interests.
Secondly, the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction was established, the activities of the Ishga Marhamat monocenters were launched, the iron "women's" and "youth" notebooks were established, one hundred percent pensions were paid to working pensioners, the Strategy of Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Uzbekistan was approved, and the problem of poverty in the country was recognized. Moreover, the position of assistant khokim has been introduced, who are responsible for reducing poverty, developing entrepreneurship, organizing jobs and increasing citizens' incomes. Most importantly, a new system of caring for the population has been created.
On May 15, 2023, a video conference was held under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss measures to reduce poverty and ensure employment. Following the recognition of the existence of poverty in the country, a system was introduced to reduce it. At the beginning of last year, all districts in Uzbekistan were divided into five categories, and they were granted differentiated benefits based on the pace of socio-economic development. As a result, one million people have been lifted out of poverty. 
Thirdly, education and medicine are the most important and comprehensive social spheres. In order to accelerate reforms and improve efficiency in these industries, appropriate project offices have been established.
 Undoubtedly, investing in human capital is the best contribution to the future. In this regard, unprecedented reforms have been carried out in the field of continuous improvement of the system of continuous quality education and training of qualified personnel. As a result, pre-school enrollment has increased from 27 to 74 percent, 11-year compulsory schooling has been resumed, the workload of school teachers has been optimized, and forced labor has been abolished.
Changes in the higher education system in recent years have also shown significant positive results. As a result, the coverage of higher education increased from nine to 42 percent, and the number of universities increased from 77 to 212.
In our country, great attention is paid to the medical field, which directly affects the quality of life. Over the past seven years, the volume of financing for the healthcare system has increased from 5.9 trillion to 33.5 trillion soums, that is, six times. Hospitals are being equipped with modern equipment, and new facilities are also being built. In order to bring medicine closer to the people, screening examinations are conducted on the ground.
 It should be noted that purposeful work is being carried out in Uzbekistan to provide targeted support to socially vulnerable segments of the population.  This is proved by the addition of a paragraph to article 57 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan in a new version on state measures aimed at improving the quality of life of socially vulnerable categories, creating conditions for them to participate equally with other citizens in public and public life and expanding their opportunities to independently provide for their basic living needs. 
One of the main innovations is article 42 of the Basic Law, which states that the minimum wage is determined taking into account the need to ensure a decent standard of living. From December 1, 2023, the minimum wage is 1.05 million soums, while the cost of consumer spending is set at 568 thousand soums per person per month.  
In addition, according to the Presidential decree "On measures to further improve the system of providing social services and assistance to the population" dated September 28, 2023, since October 15 last year, a new system of social assistance has been experimentally introduced in 28 districts (cities) by employees of the Inson social services centers of the National Agency for Social Protection. Employees are charged with maintaining records and a register of single, elderly and persons with disabilities in need of outside care, which helps to develop a plan for the provision of individual social services by taking into account the degree of need for outside help. At the same time, assistance to lonely elderly people included in the Unified Register of Social Protection is provided on the basis of a contract. 

Sardor Zhakbarov is a
leading researcher 
Institute of Legislation and Legal
Policy under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.