UNDP pledges $30m for youth development

PM Imran calls skill development a priority area

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said the government will play a major role in mainstreaming marginalised youth by scaling up youth empowerment initiatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Prime Minister was talking to his Special Assistant on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar and UNDP's Resident Representative in Pakistan Ignacio Artaza, PM office media wing in a press release said.

The Prime Minister was briefed on UNDP's Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), which, in collaboration with Prime Minister's Youth Programme is aimed at supporting youth engagement and empowerment initiatives across Pakistan over a period of five.

The UNDP has also pledged $30 million for education, employment and social engagement of Pakistani youth. The Prime Minister appreciated the UNDP for its continued commitment and engagement with the government of Pakistan for education, employment and skills development of the youth of the country.

Muhammad Usman Dar informed the premier about his office's joint efforts with UNDP to engage youth groups and stakeholders on the government's upcoming youth initiatives, such as the first-ever National Youth Conference,  National Youth Development Index and National Youth Development Programme.



He appreciated UNDP's technical and resource assistance for the government's efforts to design the National Youth Development Programme that would serve as an umbrella platform for all youth-focused initiatives of the government.

Dar had recently joined as co-chair of the UNDP Youth Empowerment Programme's Steering Committee.     He expressed the hope that their institutional partnership would serve to align their shared objectives for Pakistani youth's meaningful engagement, quality education and gainful employment.

Dar also briefed the Prime Minister about "Taleemi Razakar" Programme and efforts to integrate madrassah students into mainstream by providing them greater opportunities.

Youth Empowerment Programme is aimed to promote youth empowerment by reducing young women and men's vulnerability and exclusion through a three-pronged approach; jobs/economic empowerment, social engagement and education/skills development.

The programme aims to promote youth empowerment by reducing young women and men’s vulnerability and exclusion through a three-pronged approach which include job empowerment, social engagement and education and skill development. YEP also aims to empower 200,000 marginalised and excluded youth (50% women) across the country.