Part 4 of a five-part exclusive interview series with South Ossetian Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev discussing South Ossetia’s development priorities, the aspirations of its younger generation and a message to readers in Indonesia.
LENTERAMERAH — Every nation ultimately measures its progress not only by diplomatic achievements or international recognition, but by the everyday lives of its people. For South Ossetia, the future is closely tied to improving living standards, creating opportunities for younger generations and ensuring that development strengthens the country’s identity as well as its resilience.
In the fourth part of this exclusive interview series, South Ossetian Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev discusses the Republic’s socioeconomic priorities, the hopes of its young people and concludes with a personal message to Indonesian readers.
The 2026–2030 Socio-Economic Development Program marks an important stage in South Ossetia’s development. In your view, what tangible improvements do you hope ordinary citizens will experience over the next five years?
The State Program for Socioeconomic Development for 2026–2030 is a strategic plan for improving the quality of life for every resident of the republic. We understand that people are not looking for abstract indicators, but for real changes that can be felt on the ground.
First and foremost, this involves modernizing social infrastructure, which requires a steady transition to systemic renewal. In the coming years, the focus will be on educational and medical institutions. Citizens should receive high-quality medical care and education in modern, comfortable conditions without having to leave the republic.
The development of the real economy and creation of jobs are also key. We understand that social benefits are important, but family stability depends on decent work. The program provides support for the agro-industrial complex and small businesses. It’s essential to create conditions for local producers to thrive and for young people to see opportunities for self-realization here at home, in South Ossetia.
Of course, implementing such a large-scale program requires time and coordinated work across all agencies. But I want to emphasize that our primary measure of success is not official reports, but the impact on the lives of ordinary people. We are working to ensure that within five years, every resident of the republic feels that South Ossetia has become a more comfortable, safe, and promising place to live and raise children.
While long-term development plans are measured through infrastructure, public services, and economic growth, their ultimate success will depend on whether younger generations see their future within South Ossetia. This naturally raises the question of how today's youth view the opportunities ahead.
What hopes and aspirations do young people in South Ossetia have today? Do you find that most young people wish to build their future at home, or do they increasingly look for opportunities abroad?
The future of youth in South Ossetia is always a conversation at the intersection of a deep attachment to their native land and a pragmatic search for opportunity. Describing the mood of young people today reveals a picture full of contradictions. The aspirations of young people in South Ossetia differ little from those of their peers in other parts of the world. They want a quality education, an access to modern technology, professional opportunities and, of course, stability.
Many young people today are very ambitious. They follow global trends, master digital professions, and are interested in entrepreneurship. There is a demand for a vibrant environment, so that the republic has more spaces for creativity, sports, and intellectual leisure. Young people want to feel that their voices are heard and that their ideas can be transformed into real projects rather than remain on paper.
Stay or leave? This is the most pressing question. There’s no clear answer: “everyone leaves” or “everyone stays.” The situation seems more like a pendulum. Most young people seek higher education outside the republic, most often at Russian universities. This is a natural process. The scope of educational programs in large cities is objectively broader. The question is whether they return.
Many leave in search of a higher standard of living and career prospects. In a small republic, the labor market is limited, and young professionals often struggle to find work that matches their ambitions and income level. This is the main reason for the outflow.
At the same time, family and clan ties are very strong in South Ossetia. Many of those who leave do so with the idea of “earning money and returning” or “gaining experience and applying it back home.” There are many young people who consciously choose to stay because they see potential in the republic’s development, want to be closer to their roots and build a future here, in their home.
It’s fair to say that today’s youth in South Ossetia are searching for balance. Those who leave do so not out of a lack of love for their homeland, but out of a desire to expand their horizons. Those who stay often become drivers of change, trying to introduce new approaches to culture, business, or public life.
The main challenge facing the republic today is to create conditions that make returning home not just a nice gesture but a logical and attractive choice for young professionals. If young people feel they can fulfill their potential just as effectively at home as in the big city, then the desire to build a future in South Ossetia will become dominant. For now, however, this is a choice each person makes for themselves, weighing their personal ambitions and their love for their native land.
Throughout the interview, Dzhioev has spoken about South Ossetia through its people, culture, diplomacy, and aspirations for the future. Before concluding the conversation, he offers a direct message to Indonesian readers, inviting them to look beyond geopolitical headlines and discover another side of South Ossetia.
A Message to Indonesian Readers
Many Indonesians know South Ossetia only through reports on geopolitics. What message would you like to share with Indonesian readers so they can gain a broader understanding of South Ossetia, its people and its society?
It often happens that we learn about distant countries only from news headlines. For many in Indonesia, South Ossetia is likely a name that flashes across reports about big politics and conflicts. But behind these dry lines there is something much deeper, more vibrant, and more human.
Taking this opportunity to address Indonesian readers, I would like to invite them to forget about political maps and reports and look at us as people who, like you, love our land, value our culture, and dream of a peaceful future for our children.
South Ossetia is famous for its majestic Caucasus Mountains. The Ossetian people have an ancient history, rooted in ancient times. Our culture is not only a history of struggle, but also a history of hospitality. We have an old saying: “A guest is a gift from God”. If you ever find yourself in Ossetia, you will see that we welcome people with an open heart, a set table, and a sincere desire to share what we have.
As in Indonesia, where family ties and respect for elders are paramount, in South Ossetia, family is the foundation of everything. We carefully preserve our traditions, our language, and our customs, passing them on from generation to generation. Our people have endured many trials, and it is precisely this that has taught us to appreciate simple joys: a peaceful sky, the laughter of children, and the opportunity to create on our own land.
We don’t want to be perceived solely through the prism of geopolitics. We want the world to know about our artists, our poets, our athletes, and our scientists. Our society strives for development and is open to dialogue and friendship.
Indonesia and South Ossetia are on opposite sides of the world, separated by thousands of kilometers, different climates and time zones. But human hearts speak the same language. We invite you to look beyond the news feeds. Ossetians are proud of their past but look to the future with hope.
If you ever want to get to know us better, know that in the heart of the Caucasus you have friends who will be happy to tell you their story – not the one written in political textbooks, but the one that lives in our homes and our souls.
With this message, Dzhioev concludes the thematic part of this interview series by returning to the idea that has run throughout the conversation: South Ossetia seeks to be understood not only through geopolitics, but also through its people, culture, and aspirations for the future. The fifth and final installment presents the complete interview in its original form. ***
