UN General Assembly
2014

made catastrophes. I wish to underscore that owing to the potential for making ecological problems worse, a growing number of countries around the world are rejecting the construction of gigantic dams and opting for small and medium-size hydropower stations that do not damage the environment, safety or socioeconomic well-being of their populations. Fourthly, the dynamic development of our economy and modernization of all spheres of the country’s life have enabled Uzbekistan to ensure the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of schedule. Since achieving independence, Uzbekistan has seen its economy grow almost five-fold and per capita income increase 8.7 times, testifying to the growth in our standards and quality of life. In the past 10 years, Uzbekistan’s annual rate of growth of its gross domestic product (GDP) has exceeded 8 per cent. By 2030 we intend to increase the per capita GDP to $9,300. About 60 per cent of State expenditures are channelled to fund social development, with more than 34.3 per cent of that spent on education. Almost 100 per cent of school-age children attend secondary schools.