Minister Alexander Chiteme urges UN, AU to financially empower youths to contribute to SDGs success …as he calls for end of conflicts in Africa to catalyse sustainable development

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

MNDP/5/6/1
Media Statement
For Immediate Release

Hon. Alexander Chiteme speaking

Minister Alexander Chiteme urges UN, AU to financially empower youths to contribute to SDGs success
…as he calls for end of conflicts in Africa to catalyse sustainable development
LUSAKA, Friday 28th February 2020 – Minister of National Development Planning Hon. Alexander Chiteme, MP, has called on the United Nations, African Union, development banks and international financial organisations to financially support youth’s participation in implementation of initiatives that will assist the continent attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Minister said the majority of global population comprised of youth, who ought to be accorded opportunities for them to contribute to the development of the world they live in.
“We often talk about youth problems and finding solutions to these problems that youth face but we don’t see sufficient money going to youth activities for them to actively contribute to their development, and generally to participate in national development. We often talk about youth leadership and we have to empower the youths for them to develop leadership skills,” Mr. Chiteme said. “In Zambia, we have involved the youths but we do not have enough resources to give them. Therefore, we need to have a clear framework that is tailored to the empowerment of youths for them to play their key role in sustainable development.”

Hon. Chiteme speaking in Zimbabwe

Minister Chiteme urged the UN, African UN, development banks and international financial institutions to assist address the challenges of the youths and draw them closer to their rightful place in society for them to contribute to the sustainable development.
The Minister also called for an end of conflicts in Africa to catalyse sustainable development. He said peace was paramount to the achievement of sustainable development in the continent. Mr. Chiteme said although Zambia has always been at peace, some of its neighbours have had conflicts which had led to people crossing into and living in Zambia as refugees. He said, it was therefore imperative that Zambia has continue to champion efforts to eradicate conflicts.

1. Hon. Chiteme speaks at African Regional Mechanism Coordination of SDGs

Mr. Chiteme was speaking at the Special Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa (RCM-Africa) at Elephant Hills Hotel Resort in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, as part of the Sixth African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. UN Deputy Secretary General Ms. Amina Mohammed, AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Kwesi Quartey, Under Secretary General of the UN to the AU Ms. Hanna Tetteh, the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, among other dignitaries participated in the dialogue discussion between the UN and AU.
Zimbabwe President, His Excellency Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, officially opened the Sixth African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on Tuesday.
Issued by

Bernaette Deka with President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and David Silwamba in Waldorf Astoria New York 2016

Chibaula D. Silwamba (Mr.)
Spokesperson
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
Tel: +260211252409 Email: chibaula.silwamba@mndp.gov.zm
Website: www.mndp.gov.zm