UNCCD has committed to the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth to foster youth engagement in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Recently, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) joined the United Nations Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, committing to fostering youth engagement in meetings and processes and implementing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. UNCCD partners with the UNCCD Youth Caucus, the UNCCD CSO panel, and the Youth Negotiators Academy.

The UNCCD Secretariat has developed a Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) to ensure stronger, effective, and meaningful youth participation in the meetings and processes of the Convention. The YES strives to realize a future where youth and youth organizations participate in UNCCD decision-making processes and have a strong voice in the broader policy discussions on land use and governance; are considered essential stakeholders specifically to assist countries and communities in combatting desertification, land degradation, and drought; and are empowered to create opportunities for sustained engagement, resulting in leadership positions and meaningful jobs and careers that generate shared prosperity from sustainable land and water management practices.

The commitment will foster participation and partnerships, providing financial and technical support for young people and building capacity and networking to inspire them to pursue meaningful and sustainable careers. For its implementation, the Parties and stakeholders would like to reach several strategic objectives, such as advancing youth-focused policies, supporting meaningful participation and partnerships, providing dedicated financial and technical support, building capacity, and supporting networking.

With this commitment, UNCCD aims to create a new generation of young people and “ecopreneurs” inspired to build a more equitable and sustainable future based on meaningful jobs and careers that restore a healthy relationship with nature. Within the strategic approaches, all stakeholders will contribute to decent jobs for youth.

The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Decent Jobs for Youth was launched in 2016 as a joint effort of the United Nations system to address the youth employment challenge, a central element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a global multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together governments, social partners, the private sector, youth, and civil society organizations.

Strategic alliances and coordinated work between these actors allow them to share knowledge, benefit from resources, and take relevant measures at the national and regional level to support young people in their transition to productive employment and decent work.

Read more about the commitment: https://archive.decentjobsforyouth.org/commitment/542

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Marcos Montoiro, External Relations Officer, UNCCD | mmontoiro@unccd.int
Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, ILO | decentjobsforyouth@ilo.org