President Mirziyoyev sets new mandates for officials to support youth startups and education

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held an open dialogue with the nation’s youth at the Kuksaroy Residence, emphasizing that the younger generation represents a formidable "economic, social, and political power" for the country's future. The event connected more than 60,000 young representatives via video link from studios in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, various regions, and Tashkent city.

Photo: Presidential Press Service

Addressing the 22 million young citizens of Uzbekistan, the president underscored the collective responsibility of state officials, ranging from ministers and governors to school directors, to ensure no youth is left behind. He called for a more rigorous approach to supporting language learning, vocational training, sports, and the incubation of innovative startups.

The president highlighted the significant strides made by Uzbek youth on the global stage, bolstered by expanded state opportunities:

Academic excellence: Students have secured 66 gold, 147 silver, and 221 bronze medals at international science Olympiads in recent years.
Global education: Over 500 Uzbek students are currently enrolled in prestigious Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and Cornell, while more than 3,500 are studying at Top–100 ranked universities worldwide.
Entrepreneurial reach: 63 startup projects initiated by Uzbek youth have successfully entered international markets, including the USA, South Korea, the UK, and the UAE.
Sports mastery: Young athletes have brought home a total of 720 gold, 671 silver, and 854 bronze medals from international arenas.

"It brings us great pride that Uzbekistan has been declared the fastest-growing country in the Global Youth Development Index," President Mirziyoyev remarked, noting that young entrepreneurs now account for 35% of the country’s business sector.

The president announced that Tashkent will become the headquarters for the Global Youth Movement for Peace this year. Furthermore, Uzbekistan is set to host several major international events, including:

The 12th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Samarkand.
The "Take Off" International Startup Summit.
The 46th World Chess Olympiad.

To combat emerging global threats to the mindset of the younger generation, the president mandated a transition to a new system of engagement. Every Thursday has been officially designated as "Youth Day" across all ministries, agencies, and regional administrations.

On these days, responsible officials are required to visit neighborhoods, schools, and technical colleges to listen to youth concerns directly. Governors have been tasked with developing youth-oriented trade and service projects, providing grants for startups, and organizing competitions for the best young farmers, industrialists, and creators.

The president concluded by stating that leaders who embrace new methodologies and innovation to improve education quality will see a transformative shift in the effectiveness of their administration.