Mirziyoyev criticizes the “seven” system in local communities

If the so-called “seven” (yettilik) system and bankers at the mahalla level are failing to solve people’s problems, it means the system itself is not working, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on January 23 during a videoconference meeting dedicated to key tasks for 2026 on poverty reduction and employment.

According to the information presented, over the past year 366,000 families have escaped poverty. As a result of measures taken to expand employment and increase incomes, the poverty rate declined from 8.9 percent to 5.8 percent, while unemployment fell from 5.5 percent to 4.8 percent.

“All of this is the result of our reforms and demonstrates that trust between the state and the people is steadily strengthening.

However, there is still much work to be done. We have declared 2026 the ‘Year of Developing the Mahalla and Advancing Society’ and set major tasks to improve mahalla infrastructure.

This is because the mahalla clearly shows where reforms are working and where they are stalling. If there are still unemployed people or poor families in a mahalla, it means reforms have not reached that place. If the ‘seven’ and bankers are not resolving people’s problems, it means the system is not functioning there.

No minister, regional or district governor, or banker has the right to hide behind the ‘seven’ system as an excuse. There are opportunities and resources, decisions and programs. What is lacking is responsibility and personal accountability,” the president said.