UN Secretary-General Calls for Empowering Youth with Skills for a Peaceful, Sustainable Future

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NEW YORK — The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical importance of equipping young people around the globe with necessary skills to foster a peaceful and sustainable future, marking the celebration of World Youth Skills Day.



According to Ethiopian News Agency, Guterres highlighted that while a significant number of youth worldwide are not engaged in education, employment, or training, they possess the potential to effect substantial positive change. He stressed the need for specialized training in green and digital economies, education to combat hate speech and misinformation, and tools to promote mediation and dialogue. The Secretary-General also noted the correlation between national investments in education, school completion rates, and the level of peace experienced by countries.



The UN General Assembly designated July 15 as World Youth Skills Day in 2014, recognizing the importance of equipping young people with skills necessary for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Since its inception, the day has served as a platform for critical dialogues involving young individuals, educational institutions, employers, policy makers, and development partners.



This year’s celebrations will include a panel discussion organized by UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the UN Youth Office, in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka. The event aims to review effective practices and interventions that can enhance skills development, underscore the contributions of youth towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), address issues like violence and harassment, and integrate social and emotional learning into educational and training frameworks.