The role of youth communities, is “essential” to overcome global challenges and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says Vice President Faisal Naseem.

He said this in his speech at the official function held in Kulhudhuffushi City to mark International Youth Day.

As such, taking the podium at the event, VP Naseem highlighted that the youth population can play a more important role in overcoming the socio-economic impact of Covid-19, climate change, threats to biodiversity, environmental degradation as well as ocean acidification challenges.

With this, he stated that the role of youth in overcoming the challenges and achieving the SDGs is crucial all across the globe.

Going on to highlight that youth makes up half of the population of Maldives, VP Naseem shed light on the significance of including their contributions in “every” stage of development.

VP Naseem went on to applaud the role of the youth population in Maldives in battling the Covid-19 pandemic, especially at the Emergency Operations Centre and the national Covid-19 inoculation drive.

Adding that the youth population is promising for the future of the country, the vice president noted that governments across the globe need to offer new learning opportunities that engage and educate young people about global issues.

Further, he noted that there is no doubt that youth can be a “positive” force for development when provided with the knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive.

The function, attended by the United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Maldives Catherine Haswell, senior officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, parliamentarians representing Kulhudhuffushi City, the city’s mayor and other public officials, also saw VP Naseem launching a video presentation.

International Youth Day activities are being hosted in the northern city by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, Kulhudhuffushi City Council, and the UN in Maldives, this year.

The International Youth Day is celebrated annually on August 12.

This year’s theme revolves around “Intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages."