Over the past seven years, the share of government officials under the age of 40 in Uzbekistan has grown significantly - from 37% to 65%. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted this trend during a meeting with youth on June 30, Gazeta.uz reports.
Mirziyoyev emphasized that in building the “New Uzbekistan” and implementing the principle of “a state that serves the people,” the government relies on talented, proactive young professionals. He also noted the recent signing of a presidential decree aimed at preparing and integrating promising young specialists into public administration.
Under this initiative, 100 gifted young individuals will be selected annually to study at the Academy of Public Administration under the “Leaders of the Future” program. Participants will gain hands-on experience by working for two months alongside ministers and regional governors (hokims), followed by a one-month internship abroad. According to the president, graduates of the program will become top candidates for leadership positions in government.
Mirziyoyev also announced the upcoming launch of the voluntary “TOP-100” program, set to begin in 2026 and held every two years. The program aims to identify 100 of the most promising next-generation leaders and managers. It will be open not only to civil servants but also to business leaders, civic activists, and Uzbek citizens living abroad. Selection criteria include intellectual capacity, patriotism, organizational skills, and leadership potential.
Winners of the TOP-100 program will be included in the National Talent Reserve and prioritized for leadership roles in republican and local executive authorities.
The reserve will include at least 500 candidates for positions at the national level and 1,000 at the regional level. Additionally, a pool of potential leaders will be formed from local community activists, social workers, and others who have shown strong performance in their roles. Based on recommendations from the Agency for Civil Service Development, these individuals may be appointed to government positions without the need for open competition.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
June 30, 2025