GENEVA (ILO News) – More than 200 young people from around the world will be attending the Global Youth Employment Forum in Abuja, Nigeria to discuss how to ensure more and better quality jobs for young people.

The forum, organized by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with the Nigerian government, takes place from 1 to 3 August at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja.

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari and ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, will address the opening ceremony, which will be webcast along with the main events of the first day.

With 59 million young people unemployed worldwide and 136 million in poverty, youth employment is one of the most pressing issues facing the world of work.

During the three days of discussions the youth participants aim to agree recommendations that will advance the ILO’s Resolution on The youth employment crisis: A call for action which was adopted at the International Labour Conference in June 2012. The Resolution calls for immediate, targeted and renewed action to tackle the youth employment crisis.

Participants will also discuss how to accelerate progress on youth employment-related targets and youth-related Sustainable Development Goals. Other topics for discussion are gender equality, rights, the rural economy, youth representation and the opportunities and challenges facing young people in their search for decent work.

Fifteen young entrepreneurs will present their solutions to some of these issues in an exhibition showcasing their projects.

Government, employers’ and workers’ representatives, academics, and members of multilateral organizations, regional institutions, foundations, civil society and the private sector will also take part in the forum.


For more information contact youth@ilo.org or ladipo@ilo.org.