Laylo Aslonova, Chairperson of the Youth Parliament under the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, shared her views about the importance of young people in society and their role in parliament.

– Young people are increasingly engaging in social issues, driving new ideas, and holding significant influence over decisions. As a result, encouraging greater youth participation in political activities, especially within parliamentary work, is becoming increasingly vital worldwide.

The data highlights the importance of this issue. While nearly half of the global population is under 30, the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s 2026 figures show that only 2.8% of national parliament members are under 30. Additionally, 37.1% of parliamentary chambers worldwide have no members under 30.

These figures show that political representation for young people remains an important global issue.

– How are youth engaged in parliamentary activities structured in Uzbekistan?

– The Youth Parliament under the Senate was created in 2020 on the President of Uzbekistan’s initiative. It consists of 100 young individuals, with 84 elected via regional Councils and 16 chosen through the youth engagement system.

The Youth Parliament’s primary role is to make sure that young people’s concerns and suggestions influence the parliamentary agenda, involve them in the legislative process, and ensure their interests are reflected in adopted laws.

Members of the Youth Parliament participate in drafting laws, analyze regional law enforcement, oversee parliamentary activities, and engage in open dialogues with youth. They study young people’s views on issues such as education, employment, entrepreneurship, the environment, digitalization, gender equality, healthcare, and legal culture, then submit appropriate proposals.

The Youth Parliament gives young people the opportunity to participate in decision-making.

– How are international cooperation efforts structured within the Youth Parliament’s activities?

– Engaging in dialogue with young parliamentarians from various countries offers a chance to share experiences, compare new ideas, examine successful mechanisms, showcase our country’s expertise globally, and build trust among young people from different nations.

Members of Uzbekistan’s Youth Parliament engage in multiple international parliamentary forums. For instance, in May, they participated in the CIS Youth Interparliamentary Assembly held in Saint Petersburg. They are also building dialogue with young representatives from Belarus and Germany.

These dialogues show a common pattern: young people’s challenges are quite similar worldwide. Issues like quality education, decent jobs, economic independence, housing, digital security, environmental concerns, mental health, misinformation, equal opportunities, and participation in public decisions are urgent for every country.

In this context, “youth parliamentary diplomacy” takes on a tangible meaning. It is built on dialogue among young people who come together to address shared challenges and foster mutual trust, forming the basis for lasting relations.

– How are the preparations for the 12th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians coming along? What importance will the forum hold?

– Hosting the conference in Uzbekistan highlights international acknowledgment of our country’s expertise in engaging young people in state and public administration.

This year’s forum focuses on the role of young parliamentarians in protecting rights, defending human dignity, and promoting justice amid a complex and conflicting era.

The theme was selected intentionally. Currently, the world grapples with geopolitical disputes, armed conflicts, social inequality, information threats, and complex human rights issues. In this context, parliaments have a significant role not just in passing laws but also in safeguarding human rights, promoting social justice, and representing diverse societal voices in political decision-making.

Younger members of parliament play a particularly vital role in this process.

The conference offers our country a platform to present its experience internationally. The Youth Parliament and youth organizations within local Councils are actively preparing for the event.

The 12th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union will act as a key international platform, uniting representatives of the next generation of politicians.

Interviewed by Norgul Abduraimova, UzA