The UN Inter-Agency Group on Youth has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in young people in the area of green economy to ensure Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The agency stakeholders made this known at the discussion organised by the UN Information Centre (UNIC), in Abuja on Saturday to equip young people with skills for the green economy.

The event with the theme: “Green skills for youth: towards a sustainable world” was put together to commemorate the 2023 International Youth Day.

Speaking, the UNFPA resident representative, Gifty Addico, said that dialogue among youths to ensure the achievement of a sustainable green economy has become important in line with global environmental challenges.

Ms Addico said, “As the world shifts to greener future, green skills are the cornerstone of this transition, serving as tools that empower individuals to champion a resource-efficient society.

“We are ensuring every interaction brings us closer to sustainable Nigeria, led by youth equipped with the right skills.

“Our commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of our youths are embodied in transformative results ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, ending gender-based-violence and all harmful practices.

“We are committed to advocating for the rights of young people, empowering them with knowledge and skills to not only protect themselves but enable them make informed decisions.

“So they can realise their full potential and contribute to economic and social transformation.”

In separate interviews, Rownak Khan, deputy representative of UNICEF, described the event as apt in ensuring a shared future for young people.

According to her, UNICEF remains grateful not just to have chaired the Inter-Agency Group, but committed to ensuring a sustainable future for Nigerian youths.

Ms Khan said, “It is important to come together to build a sustainable future for young people and the green skills basically comes how they future.

“Putting the lens of a climate resilient to work, sustainable employment and sustainable environment as well.

“This is a unique opportunity for all of us to provide adequate skills so that the skills can be used for them to ensure a resilient future for the next generation.”

For his part, Babatunde Adelekan, UNFPA focal aide for youth, said the discussion was initiated to make youths become skilled in green economy.

“We intend to achieve this by giving young people the necessary information and linking them up with the ecosystem.

“Through opportunities, through training and building up skills, they are able to utilize the various opportunities that are available.

“The green revolution is something that we must quickly tackle as a country so that our vibrant, agile youths will be able to harness their full potential,” he said.

Meanwhile, Segun Tekun, national project officer, social protection and youth employment, International Labour Organisation (ILO), described climate as the major problem that hinders the development of young people.

“We agreed that climate change is a problem and that young people are the ones mostly impacted by it, we also agreed that there is the need for us to transit to the green economy economy.

“To transit to the green economy we need to create green jobs, the. In carrying out those jobs we need green skills,” he said.

The high point of the event was a video presentation on green economy, U-report results on green skills and climate change.

Discussions were also centred on what green skills are, why they are important, green jobs, market development, requirement and career transition.

(NAN)