Category: Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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In 2026, the "Best in Profession" competition will feature a special category, "Second Start," dedicated to veterans of special military operations who have embarked on a new career path. This decision was made during a meeting of the organizing committee of the All-Russian "Best in Profession" professional skills competition. The federal stage of this category will be held in the Samara Region.

The special "Second Start" category became part of the "Best in Profession" competition in 2025. Unlike other categories, which pit the best specialists in a single profession against each other, "Second Start" is open to representatives of various professions who have begun working in a new profession or under new conditions.

"We've decided to dedicate the 2026 'Second Start' category held in the Samara Region to veterans of the Air Defense Forces. Today, as part of the national 'Personnel' project, at the President's direction, we're helping returning Air Defense Forces veterans find a new, in-demand profession and retrain for it free of charge. Our goal is to maximize veterans' self-fulfillment in civilian life and help them successfully apply their acquired skills in a new direction. Furthermore, our heroes can receive free individual career support at the 'Work of Russia' personnel centers—to undergo career guidance, receive an individual employment support plan, and choose a desired profession that will be in demand in the labor market in the coming years," said Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.

Since 2025, free retraining and professional development under the national "Personnel" project has been available in 360 in-demand specialties, ranging from industrial production and agriculture to IT and transportation. Over 100,000 people per year can gain new knowledge and successfully find employment upon completion of their training.

Since 2025, the All-Russian professional skills competition "Best in Profession" has become part of the national "Personnel" project and is held in two stages. Winners of the regional stages in each category converge on the capitals hosting the federal stages. The final competitions are held in various regions of Russia. The top finishers in the federal stages receive cash prizes: first place – 1 million rubles, second place – 500,000 rubles, and third place – 300,000 rubles.

The competition is organized by the Russian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection with the support of federal and regional government agencies, all-Russian trade union associations, and employers. The competition operator is the All-Russian Research Institute of Labor and Social Protection.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Twelve more regions have joined the program for resettling residents from dilapidated housing, implemented as part of the national "Infrastructure for Life" project coordinated by the Russian Ministry of Construction. Among those receiving support are the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, and the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This was announced by Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Territorial Development Fund.

"Residents of 12 more regions will have the opportunity to relocate from dilapidated housing as part of a new phase of resettlement of unsuitable housing. The Territorial Development Fund, the operator of this program, has approved the corresponding applications from the regions for a total of approximately 5 billion rubles. The decisions made will ensure the resettlement of approximately 5,200 people from an area of 86,600 square meters. It is particularly significant that the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, as well as the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, are joining the program for the first time. The President has set the goal of raising the standard of living in the reunified regions to the Russian average by 2030. And the decisions made today are another step towards achieving this goal. Now it is important for the regions to move on to practical resettlement work," said Marat Khusnullin.

According to him, the Luhansk People's Republic was approved for 1.25 billion rubles to resettle 496 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 13,400 square meters; the Donetsk People's Republic for 641.5 million rubles to resettle 285 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 7,800 square meters; the Zaporizhzhia region for 258.4 million rubles to resettle 187 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 2,800 square meters; and the Kherson region for 180.3 million rubles to resettle 59 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 1,700 square meters.

In addition, the Volgograd Region will receive 1.08 billion rubles for the resettlement of 1,400 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 19,600 square meters; Moscow Region – 709.7 million rubles for the resettlement of 1,400 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 20,200 square meters; Krasnoyarsk Krai – 528.2 million rubles for the resettlement of 973 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 14,300 square meters; Murmansk Region – 132.5 million rubles for the resettlement of 125 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 2,400 square meters; Kaliningrad Region – 70.6 million rubles for the resettlement of 78 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 1,200 square meters; the Republic of Ingushetia – 59.5 million rubles for the resettlement of 67 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 1,500 square meters; Tambov Oblast – 44.1 million rubles for the resettlement of 53 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 0.9 thousand square meters; Jewish Autonomous Oblast – 39 million rubles for the resettlement of 42 people from dilapidated buildings with an area of 0.9 thousand square meters.

"To date, applications from 80 regions have been approved under the 'Infrastructure for Life' national project, totaling approximately 37 billion rubles. This will allow for the relocation of approximately 55,000 people and the elimination of approximately 986,100 square meters of dilapidated housing," noted Vasily Kupyzin, CEO of the Territorial Development Fund.

As part of the national project "Infrastructure for Life," it is planned to relocate 345,000 citizens from dilapidated housing covering an area of 6.2 million square meters by 2030.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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Opening the plenary session of the Council, Denis Manturov read a welcoming address from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the participants, organizers, and guests of the event. It stated, in part: "Relations between our countries are developing dynamically in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance. Regional ties have traditionally been a significant component of these relations. These ties are actively supported at various levels. More than 40 interregional agreements are already in effect, providing conditions for the implementation of joint economic, social, and humanitarian projects, the opening of industrial parks and technology centers, and the holding of exhibitions and presentations. The Council of Regions provides an excellent opportunity for direct dialogue involving heads of central and local governments, entrepreneurs, experts, representatives of academia, universities, and public organizations. The agenda of this year's event includes current issues of cooperation in industry and agriculture, energy and e-commerce, transport and logistics, culture, and education."

Denis Manturov, in turn, noted that almost all Russian regions are already involved in trade and economic cooperation with their Uzbek colleagues.

"It's important to translate the agreements reached into roadmaps, planning specific actions and deadlines for their implementation," the First Deputy Prime Minister emphasized. In practical terms, he noted the work being done in a number of Russian regions to create new and develop existing trading houses and wholesale distribution centers.

"Electronic marketplaces are becoming increasingly important in promoting national goods. Russian marketplaces like Ozon and Wildberries are expanding their physical presence in Uzbekistan. They're opening pickup points and building the infrastructure for sorting and logistics centers," added Denis Manturov.

Comprehensive efforts at the national and regional levels, coupled with proactive business efforts, are yielding results. "Since 2019, trade turnover between Russia and Uzbekistan has more than doubled, approaching a trillion rubles. And this year, we're seeing another 7% growth," said Denis Manturov.

Companies from both countries are promoting joint industrial projects. Among the key initiatives of the past two years, Denis Manturov noted the launch of crop protection chemical production in the Samarkand region and fiberglass production in Nukus.

To increase the number of such projects, special attention is being paid to developing mechanisms to support cooperation. The Russian-Uzbek investment platform is intended to be a key element of this work. It was established at the request of the heads of state. A list of promising projects has already been prepared, the first of which are expected to receive funding in the near future.

Among other priority areas of joint work, Denis Manturov named cooperation in transport, the energy sector, and technical regulation. He emphasized the particular importance of developing humanitarian ties and expanding tourism exchanges.

Jamshid Khodjayev began his speech by delivering a greeting from the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The President of Uzbekistan's greeting stated, in part: "The mechanism for interaction between regions, established seven years ago, has proven its effectiveness and practical relevance. In this regard, a decision was made to transform the forum into a Council of Regions, the first meeting of which took place last year during the state visit of the President of the Russian Federation to Uzbekistan." Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the participation of regional leaders from Russia and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the business communities of both countries, clear evidence of the growing role of the regions in strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation. "I emphasize that the regions play a key role in achieving our strategic goals and should become the main drivers of practical cooperation," the President of Uzbekistan said in his greeting.

"The comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Russia are based on long-standing ties and are rich in significant historical events. In the context of geopolitical instability and global economic challenges, the key to addressing a range of strategic challenges facing our countries lies in the regions, which are becoming the true driving force behind our countries' development. I am confident that the forum will open a new horizon for cooperation and launch joint projects aimed at sustainable economic development in the regions and improving the living standards and well-being of citizens of Uzbekistan and Russia," emphasized Jamshid Khodjaev.

The plenary session of the council featured speeches from the governors of the Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Omsk, and Tomsk regions, the heads of the Tashkent, Bukhara, and Surkhandarya regions, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and the leadership of the Russian-Uzbek Business Council and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Following the meeting, a ceremony to exchange signed documents took place in the presence of the two countries' deputy prime ministers. In total, more than 30 agreements were signed between Russian and Uzbek regions on cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technical, social, humanitarian, cultural, and other areas.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.