Antonella Bassani, World Bank Regional Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, recently visited Uzbekistan. Her visit spanned from September 26 to 30, 2024, during which she met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and other senior government officials in Tashkent. In Samarkand, she attended the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Annual Meetings and engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation with partner multilateral development banks.
During her meeting with President Mirziyoyev, Bassani acknowledged the progress made by Uzbekistan's government in implementing structural reforms that contribute to economic growth and improve citizens' well-being. She reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to supporting Uzbekistan's reform agenda.
The discussions focused on expanding the partnership between the World Bank Group and Uzbekistan. Topics included further support for combating poverty, promoting economic growth and job creation, developing infrastructure in urban, rural, energy, and irrigation sectors, and enhancing regional cooperation on energy, water, and transport connectivity within Central Asia.
Bassani also met with Deputy Prime Minister Djamshid Kuchkarov to discuss ongoing and planned World Bank-funded projects. These include support for economic reforms aimed at increasing productivity, transforming state-owned enterprises, and aiding Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
An agreement was signed during these talks to finance the Innovative Social Protection System for Inclusion of Vulnerable People Project. The World Bank will provide $100 million to enhance access to quality social services for vulnerable groups in Uzbekistan.
In Samarkand, Bassani joined Wencai Zhang, Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Administrative Officer. Zhang had been in Uzbekistan from September 24 to 27 for the AIIB Annual Meetings. Together they held talks with senior officials from AIIB and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), including AIIB President Jin Liqun and ADB Vice President Yingming Yang. The focus was on expanding cooperation with these MDBs to address development needs in Uzbekistan and beyond.
Bilateral meetings were also held with Deputy Prime Minister Djamshid Khodjaev and Minister of Investment Laziz Kudratov. They reviewed financial support provided by the World Bank for various projects in Uzbekistan as well as technical assistance for accelerating WTO accession.
On the sidelines of the AIIB meetings, Bassani participated in a panel discussion about financing climate transition in developing countries. She highlighted the World Bank’s efforts to assist clients in building low-carbon economies and adapting to climate change.
Learn more about the World Bank’s operations in Uzbekistan.