Voices of Youth matter in Sustainable Development processes

Over 180 participants from five regions of Turkmenistan benefited from the two-day youth consultations by sharing experience and discussing their roles in the development of their communities. They also learnt about issues of gender-based violence, importance of sports, human security approach in working with communities and many other.

At his opening statement Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator, noted: “Young people need to be given an opportunity to both design and implement comprehensive policies and programs that address their specific needs, protect their rights and recognize their diversity and the challenges they face”.

The participants were also sensitized on the priorities of the UN Youth Global Strategy 2030 and the role of youth in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals delivered by young SDG Ambassadors.

The representatives of the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Physical Culture and Sports, Youth Organization of Turkmenistan named after Magtymguly and Employment Department of Ashgabat city facilitated adiscussion of the new edition of the Law of Turkmenistan "On State Youth Policy" and the implementation of the Youth Program of Turkmenistan as well as on opportunities for young people in sports, society, entrepreneurship.

The National Youth Consultations were initiated by UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, UNODC, IOM and the Delegation of EU to facilitate the exchange and networking between young people, civil society and decision makers that affect their lives. As a result, the young people became aware of socially significant thematic areas, increased their intercultural awareness through peer learning and strengthened such values as friendship, trust and peace. Young people had an opportunity to provide their vision and interest on the issues of engagement of men in the advancement of gender equality, participation of young people in the decision making process for the issues related to their life and the lives of their communities, establish a dialogue and ask questions from representatives of state and public organizations as well as established a peer network with each other between velayats and exchanged their knowledge and skills in the areas that were of interest for them.

The UN Vision of the Youth strategy is to create a world in which the human rights of every young person are realized; that ensures every young person is empowered to achieve their full potential; and that recognizes young people’s agency, resilience and their positive contributions as agents of change.