10-07-202656
In recent years, Uzbekistan's state youth policy has been consistently developing in harmony with the principles of sustainable development. The head of state's open dialogue with young people once again clearly demonstrated the priority tasks, achievements, and new opportunities in this area. The direct participation of more than 60,000 young people from across the country confirms that youth issues have become a central matter of state development.
Today, more than 22 million young people in the country represent not only the largest demographic stratum of society, but also the strategic resource that will determine the nation's future.
Reforms aimed at unlocking the potential of youth are yielding concrete and significant results in the fields of education, innovation, and competitiveness. In particular, 66 gold, 147 silver, and 221 bronze medals won at international scientific olympiads attest to a qualitative advancement of the national education system to a new level. The enrolment of more than 500 young people in prestigious universities within the international educational space, and of over 3,500 young men and women in top-100 higher education institutions, indicates the formation of a sustainable trend in human capital development.
Consistent growth is also observed in the areas of innovative activity and entrepreneurship. The entry of 63 start-up projects formed within the national innovation ecosystem into international markets demonstrates the capacity of young people to find their place in conditions of global competition. Moreover, the fact that young entrepreneurs account for 35% of the country's business entities signifies the growing participation of the new generation in the economy.
Ensuring youth employment has been identified as one of the decisive conditions for sustainable economic development. The annual entry of 600,000 young people into the labour market, together with projections that this figure will reach one million in the coming years, necessitates wide-ranging and systematic measures in this area. To this end, substantial financial resources are being mobilised and mechanisms for entrepreneurship and self-employment are being consistently expanded. The allocation of an additional USD 200 million, the raising of credit limits, and the broadening of investment opportunities are aimed at stimulating the economic activity of young people.
The introduction of vocational education programmes, business skills development, and practice-oriented training is directed at preparing competitive personnel who meet the demands of the labour market. The dual education system, business incubators, and international educational partnerships are acquiring considerable importance in enhancing the professional potential of youth.
Significant growth is also observed in the sphere of social activity. The number of young people participating in the volunteer movement surpassing 100,000 demonstrates the growing civic responsibility, social cohesion, and initiative-taking spirit within society. Grants and incentive mechanisms created by the state are becoming an important factor in supporting youth initiatives.
The reforms directed at developing the potential of youth in new Uzbekistan are emerging as one of the primary drivers of sustainable development. Consistent growth in the fields of education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social engagement is creating a solid foundation for the country's long-term progress.