July 15 marks World Youth Skills Day, an important observance established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 to emphasize the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and societal contributions.

This year's theme, “Youth Skills for Peace and Development,” highlights the key role of young individuals in promoting global peace and sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for transformative education, stating, “Today, and every day, let’s work to transform education. And let’s ensure that youth have what they need to build skills for shaping a more peaceful, sustainable future for all.” His words underscore the commitment to providing youth with the tools necessary to shape a better world.

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) stands at the core of this initiative. It is designed to provide youth with the critical skills required to access the world of work, including capabilities for self-employment and adapting to changing industries. TVET addresses multiple demands of an economic, social, and environmental nature, helping young people and adults develop the skills needed for employment, fostering equitable and sustainable growth, and supporting transitions to green economies.

Today's youth face numerous challenges, including violent conflicts that disrupt education, polarized environments online, and persistent economic inequalities that limit future opportunities. These barriers not only threaten individual futures but also the overall stability of societies. Addressing these challenges through skills education is critical for nurturing a culture of peace and developing responsible global citizens.

To commemorate World Youth Skills Day 2024, the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka to the United Nations, along with UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Youth Office, are organizing a panel discussion. This event will gather Member States, young experts, and various stakeholders to promote skills development under the theme of peace and sustainable growth. Additionally, the Global Skills Academy will host a session titled “AI Skills for the Future of Work,” reflecting the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence in modern industries and the need to prepare youth for these emerging technologies.

The significance of this day is magnified by the pressing need for employment among the youth. Recent estimates suggest the need to create 600 million jobs over the next 15 years to meet youth employment demands. The global rate of youth not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET) has also seen an alarming increase, highlighting the urgency for effective solutions.

The Government of Uzbekistan has launched several strategic initiatives focused on empowering the youth and promoting business development, as part of its broader Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy. For 2024, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has declared the year as one of Support for Youth and Business, emphasizing the importance of youth entrepreneurship. The government plans to allocate at least 40% of loans under family entrepreneurship programs to youth projects, and has established competitions to encourage young entrepreneurs with preferential loans and international training opportunities​.

President of Uzbekistan has placed a strong emphasis on integrating youth into Uzbekistan’s development strategies, underscoring the government's dedication to enhancing education, career opportunities, and supporting young people's ambitions. Programs like the “Youth Employment Program,” “Five Initiatives Olympiad,” and “Cultural Caravan” are actively engaging and empowering youth across various communities.

In response to the diverse needs of its young population, the government has launched the “Besh Tashabbus Olimpiadasi” (Five Initiatives Olympiad) initiative, covering various educational levels from community to university, engaging millions of youth and building hundreds of sports facilities. The Five Initiatives Olympiad will also feature reading, culture and arts, mind games, information technology and sports.

26-30 June 2024, the Global Youth Festival took place in Samarkand, featuring an opening ceremony at the Eternal City Complex that gathered 1,500 young participants. This significant event assembled global youth to engage in discussions covering education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and IT startups. The festival provided a platform for young people to share ideas, engage in cultural exchanges, and present projects related to global and environmental challenges, and showcase projects that tackle global and environmental issues under the theme “Education, Development, Initiative, Equality and Peace”.

In the sphere of digital technologies, the government has initiated the “Two Programmers from Each Neighborhood” project, aiming to train 70,000 youths in IT sphere this year. Moreover, the “Ibrat Children” project by the Youth Affairs Agency offers free language training to one million youths, and the “Ustoz” (Teacher) project is set to provide vocational training for 250,000 youths in fields such as marketing, advertising, e-commerce, and IT-designer.

Uzbekistan’s commitment to youth skills development exemplifies active approach to addressing both current and future challenges. By focusing on skills for peace and development, Uzbekistan is not only enhancing the prospects of its young people but is also contributing to the broader goals of global peace and sustainable development. As the world observes World Youth Skills Day, Uzbekistan’s experiences serve as an inspiring example of how dedicated efforts in youth training can yield substantial benefits for individuals and societies alike.

World Youth Skills Day is not just a celebration but a global call to action to invest in the skills of young people. By promoting an environment that enhances educational opportunities and supports skill development, we can empower the next generation to lead us into a peaceful and prosperous future.

The observance of this day serves as a powerful reminder of the potential of young people as agents of change and the ongoing need to provide them with the tools and opportunities to tackle global challenges effectively.

Robiya Arslonova,

Chief specialist,

National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan

for Human Rights