On May 18, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the Leaders’ Summit held as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku.
At the forum, participants discussed sustainable urban development, expanding access to affordable housing, improving the quality of the urban environment, strengthening climate resilience, and enhancing housing finance mechanisms.
In his address, Mirziyoyev emphasized that the Forum’s theme, “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities”, is becoming increasingly relevant amid rapid urbanization. According to various estimates, nearly 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by the middle of the 21st century.
The leader of Uzbekistan noted that accelerating urbanization is accompanied by growing social challenges. Today, around 3 billion people worldwide lack adequate housing, more than 1 billion live in informal settlements and slums, while over 300 million people remain completely without housing. Climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic crises are placing additional pressure on cities, contributing to new waves of global migration.
“In short, urbanization is becoming a critical factor directly affecting global stability and security,” Mirziyoyev noted.
He emphasized that sustainable urban development is one of the strategic priorities of New Uzbekistan. Over the next fifteen years, the country’s population is expected to grow from 38 million to 50 million, while the urbanization rate is projected to increase from 51 to 65 percent.
In this regard, the country is implementing a large-scale program for the development of urban infrastructure and housing construction. Over the past 10 years, the volume of annual housing construction has increased tenfold. In 2025, 238,000 housing units were built, and by 2030 this figure is expected to increase by another one and a half times. Around $2 billion is allocated annually from the state budget to affordable housing programs.
Particular attention is being paid to the environmental sustainability of cities. As part of the “Yashil Makon” and “Clean Air” programs, Uzbekistan aims to increase urban green coverage to 30 percent by 2030.
Mirziyoyev presented the New Tashkent megaproject, which is being implemented based on the modern principles of a “green,” “smart,” “safe,” and “15-minute” city. At the first stage, the implementation of investment projects with a total value of more than $25 billion has already begun.
The President of Uzbekistan also put forward a number of international initiatives.
Mirziyoyev called for the broader introduction of the principles of “balanced urbanization” to ensure the harmonious development of small and medium-sized cities.
He also initiated the establishment of the international “Smart and Safe Cities Alliance,” which will serve as a platform for the exchange of technologies, standards, and best practices in the digital transformation of urban governance.
To expand access to quality housing for young people and socially vulnerable groups, Mirziyoyev proposed to hold an international forum in Samarkand in 2027 dedicated to new approaches for attracting finance and investment in housing construction.
Another initiative was the proposal to establish a UN-Habitat “Green City” international award aimed at promoting the development of environmentally sustainable cities.
The President of Uzbekistan also proposed holding the fifteenth session of the World Urban Forum in New Tashkent in 2030 under the theme “The Role of Local Communities in the Sustainable Development of Cities.”
Photo: president.uz
