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The virtual room will be opened 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.
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Join us on Wednesday, April 15, for an insightful conversation with Mr. Behzod Hamraev, Chairman of the National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Vice-Chair of the Bureau of the Committee on Statistics of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, to learn about one of Central Asia's most dynamic and far-reaching national statistical reform agendas, as the country undergoes ambitious transformations.
In February 2026, Uzbekistan reached a major milestone with the completion of its first Population, Housing and Agriculture Census since 1989, which will provide a comprehensive baseline for policy planning for years to come.
At the same time, the government is leveraging digital technologies to reshape how data is produced and used. Automated data collection now integrates online tax registries, energy consumption and agricultural outputs, system-wide integrations across government institutions have significantly reduced the reporting burden on businesses, and emerging AI-powered tools are enhancing data accessibility.
These efforts are complemented by ongoing institutional reforms. A new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics is currently being developed to further strengthen data quality and efficiency. In parallel, the national statistical system has been reinforced through institutional reforms, including the re-establishment of the National Statistics Committee (NSC), strengthening its institutional role and supporting the implementation of the principles of official statistics, including professional independence, transparency, and alignment with international standards.
Join us to learn more about Uzbekistan’s transformation, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and how improved data systems are supporting major governance reforms - from fiscal consolidation to the modernization of poverty measurement.
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World Bank Group employees
- Register to attend in-person
Non-World Bank Group employees
- Join online through MS Teams, no registration needed. Link here.
The virtual room will be opened 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.
Behzod Hamraev - Keynote Speaker
Behzod is the Chairman of the National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He leads the modernization of Uzbekistan’s national statistical system, strengthening institutional and legal frameworks, improving data quality and timeliness, and aligning official statistics with international standards. Prior to this role, he served as Deputy Chairman and Board Member of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. Behzod serves as Vice-Chair of the Bureau of the Committee on Statistics of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (2025–2026).
Haishan Fu - Co-chair
Haishan is the World Bank Group Chief Statistician and Director of the Development Data Group, leading and coordinating the World Bank's development data agenda. A lifelong advocate for unlocking the power of data to improve lives, she has spent over three decades at the forefront of global data discourse as a prominent thought leader, expert advisor, and academic and policy researcher. In her dual role, she oversees a wide-ranging portfolio that includes cutting-edge global data public goods, pioneering public-private partnerships, globally trusted technical advisory services, and innovative financing solutions, including the Global Data Facility.
Abebe Adugna Dadi - Co-chair
Abebe is the Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank’s Prosperity Vice Presidency. His most recent assignment was as Regional Director for Prosperity in the Africa Region, West and Central. Based in Washington, D.C., Abebe brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the region's economic challenges and opportunities. Before stepping into his current role, he was the Practice Manager for the Macroeconomics, Trade, and Investment global practice in Africa, specifically in the East Africa region. He has also served in other roles across several regions, including as a lead economist in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Europe and Central Asia (ECA).
Mauricio Rodriguez Abreu - Discussant
Mauricio is the Chief of the Demographics and Social Statistics Unit at the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) of Mexico. He is an actuary and demographer with extensive experience in research focused on migration, time-use, gender, applied demography, statistical methods, and disparities. He was Head of the Department of International Migration Flows at the National Population Council in Mexico. Mauricio has been a professor in different institutions such as the University of Texas at San Antonio, Fundación Universidad de las Americas Puebla, the University of the State of Hidalgo and Colegio de México.
