Youth consultation and exchange in Tajikistan

on Youth, Peace and Security in Central Asia,

28 October 2019, 09:00am, TAJ PALACE HOTEL

Opening statement by Dr (Ms) Pratibha Mehta,

UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan

Distinguished guests, participants of the Younithone,

First of all, let me on behalf of UNDP Tajikistan welcome you in this wonderful country Tajikistan. This is indeed a great pleasure to host Second Central Asian Younithone organized in the frame of the regional project “Strengthening Communities Resilience and Regional Cooperation for Prevention of Violent Extremism in Central Asia”, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP offices in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

Today there are 1.8 billion people in 10-24 age group, the largest generation of youth in the history. In Central Asia itself there are more than 30 million young people, which makes up approximately 60% of the region’s total population. The idealism, dynamism and creativity of youth population is extremely important to achieve social justice, sustainable development and sustainable peace in the world.

The SDGs as well as the UN Security Council (UNSCR) Resolution 2250 specifically focuses on Youth, Peace and Security, recognizing the role of young men and women in promoting peace and preventing violent extremism.

To promote peer to peer exchange, UNDP through its regional project has created the Central Asian Youth consultation platform to facilitate dialogue between youth on peace, security and social cohesion issues for successful implementation of UNSCR 2250 in Central Asia, to hear your opinion on recommendations from the The Missing Peace Progress Study[1] and to create a youth-focused and youth-led action plan for sustainable peacebuilding and social cohesion efforts in the Central Asian Region.

The Missing Peace Progress Study is based on face-to-face discussions with over 4,000 young people in 27 countries. And we would like to hear CA specific ideas in these recommendations and how to implement.

We are confident that these youth exchanges will also result in better understanding of peacebuilding and security issues, promote youth solidarity and friendship and contribute in advancing SDG 16 which aims to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

In UNDP Tajikistan as we did for the last 25 years, we will continue working for and with young people men and women increasing social and economic opportunities, promoting gender equality, prevention of violent extremism.

I would like to wish you fruitful and pleasant cooperation during the upcoming four days.

Thank you very much for your attention!