ISLAMABAD, August 18. /Dunyo IA/. An article titled “Mustaqillik Generation: New Navigators of the Silk Road” has been published on the website of Pakistan’s “Diplomatic News Agency” and in the “Islamabad Post” newspaper, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

“A Tashkent evening in midsummer can resemble a vibrant Mediterranean metropolis transplanted into the heart of Central Asia, - author writes. - On a summer terrace in the city center, young people move effortlessly between Uzbek and English while discussing a new fintech startup. A few kilometers away, their peers are presenting an exhibition where traditional Uzbek ikat textiles meet digital art”.

Publication emphasizes that this is not simply an ordinary snapshot of life in the modern capital, but rather the face of Uzbekistan in 2026 - a country marking the 35^th Anniversary of its Independence.

Thirty-five years is but a moment in history. Yet for Uzbekistan, this milestone carries particular and profound significance. The country has a unique demographic profile: more than 60 percent of its population is under 30. Those turning 35 today represent a generation the same age as independent Uzbek statehood. In Uzbekistan, they are known as the “Mustaqillik” Generation.

“Mustaqillik Generation is creating a new infrastructure for exchange. Over the past several years, Uzbekistan has made an impressive leap in the IT sector, transforming from a regional consumer of technology into an exporter. At the heart of this transformation is IT Park in Tashkent and its branches across the country - a special preferential zone for technology companies”, publication notes.

While ten years ago software exports from the country were measured in modest figures, today this indicator has reached hundreds of millions of dollars, with the geography of orders spanning the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the UAE and other countries.

Author notes that Uzbekistan’s youth are shaping an entirely different legal and political culture. Young lawyers, diplomats and civil servants educated at leading universities in Europe, the United States and Asia are now integrating international standards into national practice.

Article published in the Pakistani media notes that a vivid confirmation of how the voice of Uzbekistan’s youth resonates with the global agenda was the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum, held in Samarkand in October 2025. Held under the theme “Generation of Action,” the forum brought together around 150 delegates from more than 140 countries around the world. The forum was held in Central Asia for the first time in history. It was organized ahead of the 43^rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand. Young leaders of Uzbekistan contributed to discussions on climate action and cultural heritage, demonstrating that their voice is not simply a regional initiative, but a contribution to global development.

“For an individual, the age of 35 is a period when the pursuits and ambitions of youth give way to conscious maturity, strategic thinking and a clear understanding of one’s place in the world. For a state, this stage means much the same. Uzbekistan is approaching the 35^th Anniversary of its Independence not burdened by past achievements, but with a clear development trajectory designed for decades to come”, the article emphasizes.