Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on November 18 met with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to reaffirm the strength of ADB’s partnership with Uzbekistan and to commemorate 30 years of development cooperation.
“ADB is proud to celebrate three decades of partnership with Uzbekistan,” said Mr. Kanda. “We remain committed to supporting reforms that broaden opportunities for people and communities, invest in their potential, and help deliver inclusive and sustainable growth across Uzbekistan.”
Kanda discussed with Mirziyoyev his government’s development priorities under the New Uzbekistan 2030 vision and its principle of “In the name of human honor and dignity.” He pledged stronger ADB support in key reform areas including private sector development, the transformation of state-owned enterprises, renewable energy, financial inclusion, and regional cooperation.
Kanda and Mirziyoyev also shared the expectation that ADB’s 59th Annual Meeting in Samarkand in May 2026 would demonstrate the strong partnership between ADB and Uzbekistan and serve as an opportunity to showcase Uzbekistan’s reform achievements and regional leadership.
During his visit, Kanda held high-level meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and ADB Governor Jamshid Khodjaev and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov to discuss advancing strategic reforms, enhancing public–private partnerships, and deepening cooperation in priority sectors such as education, finance, and infrastructure.
He witnessed the signing of two loan agreements with the Government of Uzbekistan. The first was the $100 million Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Secondary Education Project, which will upgrade 200 schools with modern laboratories, digital facilities, and inclusive learning environments. The second was the $300 million Inclusive Finance Sector Development Program, Subprogram 2, which will strengthen national financial inclusion reforms, improve financial sector governance, and expand access to finance for underserved populations.
Kanda also inaugurated the expanded Uzbekistan Resident Mission in Tashkent. The upgraded premises will enhance ADB’s in-country engagement and support more effective operational delivery.
Photo: ADB
