UNCCD joins the United Nations Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth

Kigali, Rwanda, 24 May 2024. On the occasion of the Global conference on decent jobs for youth, the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) joins the United Nations Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, committing to fostering youth engagement in the implementation of the Convention.

“UNCCD strives to realize a future where youth and youth organizations have a strong voice in decision-making on land use, and are recognized as vital actors in combatting desertification, land degradation and drought. With this commitment, UNCCD aims to create a new generation of “landpreneurs” inspired to build a more equitable and sustainable future based on meaningful jobs and careers that restore a healthy relationship with nature,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), involving youth in transforming food systems and land restoration activities can contribute to the creation of the estimated 600 million jobs required over the next 15 years to meet youth employment needs.^[1]

Decent Jobs for Youth was launched in 2016 as a joint effort of the United Nations system to address the youth employment challenge, which is 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, among others.

The UNCCD commitment will foster participation and partnerships, capacity building and networking to empower them to pursue meaningful and sustainable careers in sustainable land and water management. The first opportunity to do so will be this year’s Desertification and Drought Day, 17 June 2024, which focuses on intergenerational land stewardship under the theme of “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future.” The event will also mark the launch of the first UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy, emphasizing the importance of youth voices at the negotiating table.

About UNCCD 

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner. https://www.unccd.int/  

For more information, please contact:

Media office: press [at] unccd.int (press[at]unccd[dot]int)

Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, ILO | decentjobsforyouth [at] ilo.org (decentjobsforyouth[at]ilo[dot]org)  

^[1] International Labour Organization. 2022. Investing in Transforming Futures for Young People X Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022.