USG Claver Gatete,
Ambassador Taher,
Colleagues,
Young leaders,
Good morning,
It is a pleasure to join you today for this important discussion.
I thank the Economic Commission for Africa, the United Nations Regional Commissions New York Office, participating Member States, and all partners for organizing this event.
Today's discussion comes at a critical moment.
As home to the world's youngest population, Africa is experiencing one of the fastest rates of urbanization. Across the continent, cities are transforming into centers of economic opportunity, innovation, culture, and social progress.
Yet, urbanization is unfolding amid complex challenges, including conflict, displacement, climate change, economic fragility, and growing inequalities.
Millions of young people migrate to cities seeking work, education, safety, and a better future. Too often, however, they hit a wall. They encounter limited formal employment opportunities, alongside systemic barriers to accessing finance, skills development, and markets.
As a result, many urban youth are pushed into the informal economy. The scale of this challenge is significant. According to the ILO's 2024 Global Employment Trends for Youth Report, more than 53 million young people in sub-Saharan Africa were not in employment, education or training, which accounts for more than one in every five young people in the region.
While the informal economy provides essential day-to-day survival, many of these jobs are marked by low earnings, poor working conditions, and high vulnerability to shocks.
Young entrepreneurs also continue to face persistent barriers to accessing capital, technology, and markets.
Despite these challenges, young people across Africa are demonstrating remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination. They are launching businesses, developing innovative solutions, supporting their communities, and contributing to social cohesion and peacebuilding.
They are helping shape the future of their cities and economies.
Creating sustainable livelihood pathways for young people is one of the most important investments we can make to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. By 2050, nearly 50 per cent of all young people entering the global labour force will come from Africa.
Additional investments in youth employment are essential for reducing poverty, building inclusive and resilient cities, and strengthening social cohesion.
Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive approach. The Doha Declaration of the Second World Summit for Social Development provides important guidance, emphasizing investment in decent work, social inclusion, skills development, and meaningful youth participation.
We must invest in education and skills development, expand access to finance and entrepreneurship support, and strengthen urban infrastructure and local economic development for youth-led enterprises to grow.
We must also ensure that young people affected by conflict, displacement and climate-related crises are not left behind.
Success will require stronger partnerships among governments, local authorities, development institutions, the private sector, civil society, youth organizations, and the United Nations system.
My department, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is committed to working with you. We must help young people transition from vulnerable, informal work into productive, sustainable livelihoods.
Together, we can build more inclusive, resilient and prosperous cities and ensure that Africa's growing youth population becomes a powerful driver of sustainable development.
I wish you fruitful discussions and look forward to the bold ideas, partnerships, and actions that will emerge from this dialogue.
Thank you.