UN General Assembly
2020

Prior to the onset of COVID-19, young people were already three times more likely to be unemployed compared to their adult counterparts. As the pandemic pushes the global economy into a deeper crisis, the young generation is once again at risk to disproportionately bear the brunt of mass unemployment and under-protection. In this regard, I wish to share that the Zambian Government launched a multi sectoral youth empowerment programme to support the young entrepreneurs. The multi-sectoral approach has helped ensure that programmes and activities to empower and create employment opportunities for the youth are mainstreamed across all sectors. Mr. President, In 2015, we the members of the UN pledged to leave no one behind and shift world onto a path of sustainable development prosperity for all. This commitment is indeed still alive to most of us. Although the road before us is laden with challenges, we should neither waiver, nor surrender to any cynicism on the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.