adminhigh-level meeting on youths.
The Head of State and Government who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was accompanied by First Lady Amai Mugabe, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbabrashe Mumbengegwi, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and senior Government officials.
Twelve youths from various sectors of Zimbabwe’s social sphere are also part of the delegation.
The UN High-level Meeting on Youth is part of the International Year of Youth and would be held under the theme: “Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”.
The meeting will have two consecutive interactive round tables on Monday and two plenary meetings the next day.
Member states will chair the meetings at the invitation of the president of the General Assembly.
Round table 1 will address issues on strengthening international co-operation regarding youth and enhancing dialogue, mutual understanding and active youth participation as indispensable elements towards achieving social integration, full employment and the eradication of poverty.
The second round table meeting will focus on challenges to youth development and opportunities for poverty eradication, employment and sustainable development.
According to a draft resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly on the organisation of the high level meeting, member States should pay due attention to relevant development goals, including MDGs, relevant outcomes and programmes of action including the World Programme of Action for Youth and General Assembly resolution 62/126.
Member states, observers, and representatives of UN systems entities, civil society, youth organisations and the private sector would participate in the meeting for “interactive and substantive discussions”.
The General Assembly president is expected to produce a draft text, in consultation with member states, taking into account input from youth-led organisations.
In an interview early this week, Minister Kasukuwere said President Mugabe will attend the high-level meeting to show Government’s commitment to youth empowerment.
“Zimbabwe has ratified a number of protocols and international agreements and these guide Government in coming up with programmes the focus on challenges faced by youths especially under-employment and unemployment,” he said.
Minister Kasukuwere said the high level meeting in New York is important as it affords leaders a platform to look at opportunities and programmes on poverty eradication.
“It is also important that youth would take a leading role in the high-level meeting and Zimbabwe will also be highly represented at the meeting,” he said.
“We need to come up with policies for youth empowerment. Issues like the introduction of an alcohol levy that would ensure funding for youths programmes. We would, however, take the opportunity to enhance international co-operation through social interaction in issues like HIV and Aids, reproductive health and education among others,” he said.
Online Reporter