Connecting Youth to Livelihoods: Delivering
Cost-Effective and Sustainable Impact at Scale
Distinguished members of the Global Leadership Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to be with you today.
The partnership between UN DESA and Generation Unlimited has been a powerful force in advancing key connections between youth and the SDGs.
Preparing youth for the green transition has been of particular focus.
The green transition will create 8.4 million jobs for young people by 2030. But, at the same time, the current skills shortage poses an obstacle for young people to participate in the changing world of work.
In our collaboration with Generation Unlimited and ILO, on International Youth Day 2023 we ignited a global conversation on equipping young people with green skills, connecting them with opportunities and empowering them to explore options for the future.
But none of this will have an impact without adequate investment.
The financing gap remains a significant barrier to providing tangible support to youth, limiting their access to social protection and essential services.
Public-private partnerships can leverage resources and expertise to fill this gap, support youth engagement and advance sustainable development.
Aligning public spending with the SDGs can help to direct investment where it is needed most and support gender-responsive financing measures that address the unique challenges faced by young women and girls.
This September at the Summit of the Future, world leaders are expected to adopt a ¡°Pact for the Future¡± aimed at advancing a multilateral system that is fit for purpose and future-focused. Ensuring a supportive environment for today¡¯s young generation must be at the heart of this vision.
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025 will build on this outcome, providing a crucial opportunity for youth and all stakeholders, to advance the people-centred policies and financing frameworks that can drive sustainable and inclusive development.
Let us leverage these opportunities to build on our joint efforts, and pave the way for all young people to realize their full potential.
Thank you.