Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, says the government has set the development and empowerment of the youths as a top priority by ensuring that they effectively participate in the economic development of the country.
Speaking when she officiated at the Committee of Ministers on Youth Development Meeting in Lusaka, Mrs Nalumango reiterates the importance of continuous coordinated efforts by stakeholders to address youth development issues in the country.
She emphasised the crucial role of the meeting, saying it will enable the government to achieve its development objectives of empowering the youth to attain socio-economic development.
The Vice President noted that the committee of ministers has a role of providing policy and strategic guidance on youth development and is responsible for making key policy decisions, guiding implementations, prioritising fund allocation, strengthening partnerships and synergies of youth intervention.
“The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, has been working on the National Youth Development Strategy and Youth Programme Document, whose aims are to address the multifaceted challenges faced by the youth in Zambia as well as to harness their potential for national development,” she stated.
Mrs Nalumango further added that the development of the National Youth Strategy and the Youth Programme Document is anchored on the 8th National Development Plan and the 2024 National Youth Policy aimed at harnessing the full potential of youths.
She stressed that youth empowerment is not merely a social imperative but is an economic necessity adding that an empowered youth population can drive innovation, contribute to economic growth and foster sustainable development.
“Our young people are eager to engage, learn and create opportunities for themselves and their communities. Therefore, as policy makers, we must ensure that the youth have tools, resources and support they need to succeed,” she said.
Mrs Nalumango also thanked the stakeholders among them the United Nations Country Team, UNDP, UNESCO and UNFPA for their support to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts on the development of youths in the country.
Speaking at the same meeting, United Nations Country Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali said the common vision of uplifting Zambia’s youth by all stakeholders can be realised if they all leverage a cohesive multi stakeholder approach.
Ms Mutali called on the Committee of Ministers meeting to provide the necessary strategic guidance, policy direction and decisions that will anchor joint efforts and catalyse development programming for young people across the country.
She reaffirmed her team’s commitment to work with the government in ensuring that no young person is left behind.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, said the meeting is essential as it provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss and strategise on the crucial issues impacting youths in the country.
Mr Nkandu called on all the participants of the meeting to remember the importance of inclusivity, innovation and resilience as they deliberate on the development of the youth agenda.
The Committee of Ministers offers policy and strategic guidance and decisions on youth development, which strengthens the integration of youth issues.
