The government is to officially commemorate World Youth Skills Day at a national level in the Maldives every year.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reached the decision, following a recommendation from his Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday.

Providing a platform to raise awareness on the significance of youth skills development, the World Youth Skills Day celebrates the achievements of youth communities.

World Youth Skills Day will be observed in the Maldives for the first time on July 15 following the president’s decision.

The decision was reached following the reviewing of a paper submitted by the Ministry of Higher Education.

Declaring that every July 15 will be marked as World Youth Skills Day, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 69/145 on 18 December 2014.

The resolution, adopted in a bid to recognize the significance of youth skill development for sustainable development, proposes that member states implement several measures to develop youth skills.

These measures include investing in youth skills development programmes, providing access to education and training, creating opportunities for youth to acquire relevant skills, promoting recognition of non-formal and informal learning, and ensuring access to work opportunities.

Further, the World Youth Skills Day also paves the path to call for action to improve the skills of young people and ensure they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The national celebration of World Youth Skills Day is expected to motivate youth to pursue such activities in a developing nation like the Maldives, where there is a shortage of skilled youth in multiple professions.