Youth Employment
UN Youth Envoy calls for more investment in youth enterprises development in Zambia
UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, called for increased investments in youth enterprises development to address the challenge of unemployment in Zambia. Mr Alhendawi was visiting an ILO/FAO-supported aquaculture youth projects in Chongwe District of Zambia.
19 March 2016
The envoy bemoaned the high cost of doing business for youth and the prevailing high interest rates on loans by the majority of banks in the country which significantly acts as an impediment to accelerate innovation and enterprise development among the youth.
However, the envoy challenged the youth to remain resilient and emulate other young people who despite the prevailing challenges have stepped out to engage in productive ventures.
Meanwhile, Sammy Willey the youth proprietor of Palabana fisheries stated that with training and support from the ILO he has been able to train and build capacity of over 30 other youth in the aquaculture out growers’ scheme within his location.
The ILO/FAO’s YAPASA - Youth in Agribusiness Project is focused on developing the soybean and aquaculture market systems to enhance business opportunities for rural youth in Zambia. Among the key project’s expected deliverables includes creation of 3000 additional decent jobs for rural youth (both on and off-farm) and the establishment and improvement of 5000 youth owned/managed enterprises in addition to increased incomes of the targeted rural youth.
During his first official visit to Zambia, the UN Youth Envoy addressed the 134th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and attended the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. Alongside that he held several meeting with senior government officials, the UN country team as well as the Zambia UN System Wide Action Plan on Youth (UN Youth SWAP) team.
About the Youth Envoy's Office
The UN Secretary-General established the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth in 2013 and appointed Mr Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan as his first-ever Envoy on Youth.
Mr Alhendawi assumed his position on 17 January 2013 with a mandate to harmonize the UN system efforts on youth development, enhance the UN response to youth needs, advocate for addressing the development needs and rights of young people, as well as to bring the work of the United Nations with and for youth closer to them.
The Envoy on Youth also acts as the advisor to and the representative of the Secretary-General on youth related matters.
For more information, contact : Mr Benjamin Mwape, Communications and Public Information Assistant, Lusaka, Zambia, Email: [email protected]
However, the envoy challenged the youth to remain resilient and emulate other young people who despite the prevailing challenges have stepped out to engage in productive ventures.
Meanwhile, Sammy Willey the youth proprietor of Palabana fisheries stated that with training and support from the ILO he has been able to train and build capacity of over 30 other youth in the aquaculture out growers’ scheme within his location.
The ILO/FAO’s YAPASA - Youth in Agribusiness Project is focused on developing the soybean and aquaculture market systems to enhance business opportunities for rural youth in Zambia. Among the key project’s expected deliverables includes creation of 3000 additional decent jobs for rural youth (both on and off-farm) and the establishment and improvement of 5000 youth owned/managed enterprises in addition to increased incomes of the targeted rural youth.
During his first official visit to Zambia, the UN Youth Envoy addressed the 134th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and attended the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians. Alongside that he held several meeting with senior government officials, the UN country team as well as the Zambia UN System Wide Action Plan on Youth (UN Youth SWAP) team.
About the Youth Envoy's Office
The UN Secretary-General established the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth in 2013 and appointed Mr Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan as his first-ever Envoy on Youth. Mr Alhendawi assumed his position on 17 January 2013 with a mandate to harmonize the UN system efforts on youth development, enhance the UN response to youth needs, advocate for addressing the development needs and rights of young people, as well as to bring the work of the United Nations with and for youth closer to them.
The Envoy on Youth also acts as the advisor to and the representative of the Secretary-General on youth related matters.
For more information, contact : Mr Benjamin Mwape, Communications and Public Information Assistant, Lusaka, Zambia, Email: [email protected]