ISLAMABAD, February 27. /Dunyo IA/. The popular Pakistani publication “The World News” has published an article titled “Our youth is key economic and political force of country: President Mirziyoyev”, IA “Dunyo” reports.

The article provides an in-depth account of the President of Uzbekistan’s meeting with the country’s youth. Over 60,000 young people participated via video link from studios established in Karakalpakstan, various regions, and the city of Tashkent.

“The Head of State, warmly greeting the participants, emphasized that With over 22 million young people in our country, we see an enormous economic, social and political force”, - article states. It further notes that leaders at all levels should work even more actively on teaching young people foreign languages and professional skills, encouraging sports participation, supporting their ideas, projects and startups, and ensuring employment and income opportunities, leaving no youth behind.

Pakistani media note that thanks to opportunities created over recent years, Uzbek youth have won 66 gold, 147 silver, and 221 bronze medals at international science Olympiads. More than 500 Uzbek students are studying at prestigious universities such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia and Cornell, while the number of students enrolled in institutions ranked among the world’s top 100 universities has exceeded 3,500.

The report emphasizes that 63 startup projects initiated by Uzbek youth have entered markets in the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Uzbek young athletes have secured 720 gold, 671 silver and 854 bronze medals in international competitions. Today, young entrepreneurs constitute 35 percent of all business representatives in the country.

“It is no coincidence that Uzbekistan is recognized as a nation with the fastest youth development growth according to the Global Youth Development Index. Hosting the World Youth Movement for Peace Headquarters in Tashkent, the 12th Global Conference of Youth Parliament Members in Samarkand, the international startup summit “Take Off” and the 46th World Chess Olympiad this year will further strengthen this status,” the source highlights.

The article also reports that prestigious foreign universities are ready to cooperate in training young people in entrepreneurship based on best practices. Additionally, the “New Generation of Entrepreneurs” program has been launched, through which at least 40,000 young people will receive business training. The top 1,000 graduates of the program will be eligible for concessional loans of up to UZS 200 million for a period of three years at an annual interest rate of 7 percent to implement their projects.

The report emphasizes that support mechanisms for youth holding foreign language certificates have proven effective: the number of certificate holders has exceeded 600,000, and a cadre of 72,000 instructors fluent in foreign languages has been established. The number of private educational centers has tripled, now surpassing 38,000 nationwide.

The report highlights that through the “Reading Culture Development” Fund, the most talented writers will receive creative commissions with monthly payments of UZS 20 million for one year. The fund will also cover 50 percent of translation and publication costs for outstanding foreign works into Uzbek, as well as national literature into foreign languages. A concessional loan mechanism has been established for a period of three years, providing up to UZS 1 billion at an annual interest rate of 7 percent for entrepreneurs who open libraries, “book cafes” or bookstores with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 books.

Additionally, “The World News” reported on the launch of the “Second Chance” project, designed to support the rapid social adaptation of young people returning from correctional institutions.