On the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2026), Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia launched a strategic partnership aimed at youth professional development and employment. The initiative is designed to bridge the skilled labor gap in high-tech industries and establish direct pipelines connecting young professionals with global employers.

To coordinate and scale the project, the Saudi-Uzbek Business Council (SUBC) will be established, with its inaugural chairmanship held by a representative of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Energy & Water Academy (EWA), which serves as the primary talent pipeline for Saudi Arabia’s energy sector, will spearhead curriculum development. Acwa in Uzbekistan will serve as a key partner and co-executor of the initiative.

“We are delighted to be part of this strategic partnership in human capital development between our two nations. For over 17 years, our Academy has been training professionals for the water and power sectors of Saudi Arabia in accordance with international standards, and we are confident that this experience will be highly relevant and valuable in Uzbekistan. 

The signed agreement lays the foundation for building a robust educational ecosystem. In the project's first year alone, we plan to train 100 Uzbek youth through targeted vocational programs based on the EWA model, creating a highly skilled workforce to meet the talent needs of Saudi companies investing in Uzbekistan,” — noted Thamer Saud Al-Sharhan, Chairman of the Energy & Water Academy of Saudi Arabia.

The issue of addressing the workforce deficit was also a key talking point during discussions at the business breakfast hosted by Acwa and the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) as part of TIIF-2026.

Regional focus: launching from Karakalpakstan

The practical rollout of the strategy will begin in Karakalpakstan, where the creation of skilled jobs is of paramount importance. Acwa’s local entity (ACWA Power Sergeli) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nukus District Energy FE LLC. This partnership will offer local youth the opportunity to acquire international competencies and pursue careers in the energy sector both within Uzbekistan and abroad.

“Energy projects in Uzbekistan will keep expanding, making it absolutely critical to train our own specialists. Take Acwa as an example — in just six years, we have scaled our operations in the country from zero to 12 gigawatts. We have numerous projects currently under construction. For instance, in Samarkand, we plan to deploy an additional 1,000 MW of photovoltaic stations and 1,500 MWh of energy storage systems. The large-scale industrial initiatives announced today by the President of Uzbekistan will demand significant power, meaning the country will require a vast pool of highly skilled professionals,” emphasized Jon Zaidi, Country General Manager for Uzbekistan at Acwa. 

The new agreement has expanded the investor's portfolio of ongoing educational initiatives. Previously, Acwa modernized the training system at the Shirin Energy College (Syrdarya region), introducing international standards for the training of technical specialists.

Funding of educational programs: attracting Saudi donors

The financial sustainability of the project will be backed by major Saudi investors. Within the framework of TIIF-2026, ACWA Power Sergeli signed an MoU with Miahona Company, a leading Saudi operator in water and infrastructure management. In its home country, the company provides a full cycle of water supply and sanitation for industrial enterprises and municipal facilities under PPP terms.

Under the memorandum, Acwa assumes the role of an operational and methodological center. Through authorized structures and in partnership with the Saudi Energy & Water Academy (EWA), the company will provide oversight and technical guidance for the project. Experts from both organizations will focus on curriculum development, faculty training, as well as quality control of education and monitoring student performance. This comprehensive approach ensures that the competencies of graduates will meet current and future labor market demands.

In turn, Miahona Company will sponsor the training tracks. At the same time, the partnership will not be limited to financial support: the agreement provides for the integration of Saudi Arabia's advanced practices into the educational process. Miahona will open access for project participants to its technical advisors and international knowledge bases, as well as ensure internships, practical training, and regular visits of Uzbek specialists to actual industrial facilities.