UNGA HLE on Demographic Dividend and Youth Employment, Remarks by Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan

01 June, 2015

Today’s deliberations largely contribute to common understanding among Members States and other stakeholders that a demographic dividend can only be achieved and properly utilized if we invest in and sustain the youth empowerment, education and employment. We believe that strengthened national laws, policies and programs for incorporating adolescent and youth rights and needs through evidence-based policy advocacy is a way forward to realize this.

Based on this understanding, my Government initiated and has been implementing a number of executive and legislative acts, including Demographic Policy Strategy and Action Plan (2009-2035) and State Youth Policy Strategy (2013-2017) to tackle a wide spectrum of youth issues. Drafting and implementation process of the relevant legislation has involved different stakeholders, such as civil society and youth advocacy groups, private sector and international partners. The aim is to ensure participatory and inclusive approach. At our national consultations on the post-2015 development agenda back in 2012, we also focused on youth and adolescents, engaging them in discussions within their respective groups.

My Government deems it vital for the voice of the youth to be heard and for them to be integrated into the decision-making processes. The Department for Youth Policy at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs is a designated body to attend to the concerns and needs of the youth. The National Youth Council of Armenia acts as an umbrella of different youth NGOs and facilitates access to state funding for different youth programs.

Government strategies concerning educational investment have been strengthened. According to the International Labor Organization, Armenia has reached a near universal education. This was coupled with the attainment of a better quality education, resulting in the youth surpassing their parents’ education level. A growing number of young Armenian students have been studying in the world’s top universities through government supported Luys Foundation.

An Action Plan to combat youth unemployment was developed based on the State Youth Policy Strategy. A number of different projects and programs have also been implemented, such as “Youth Entrepreneurship Promotion Workshop”, “Let’s Give Work to Each Other” and “Business Youth for the Development of Rural Community”. We believe all these efforts and initiatives contribute to generating favorable conditions for a demographic dividend to occur.

Mr. Chair,

We, in Armenia, have seen important strides in increased youth social and economic inclusion despite the ongoing illegal blockade imposed on my country and a war which caused hundred thousands of refugees and IDPs including many youngsters. However, much more is yet to be done. Despite the significant decline, the level of unemployment among young people up to 25 years of age still remain very high, twice exceeding the average unemployment rate.

It is important to carry the reforms aimed at the increase of the quality of professional education and bringing it in compliance with labor market demands, strategic educational and development objectives of the country and the international standards. Enhancing the flow of information about training and employment opportunities is critical. New schemes are needed to measure and analyse skill gap and assist young job-seekers to find decent employment.

Better utilization of the potential of the private sector and mainstreaming innovation to boost youth entrepreneurship will make a fundamental difference. Armenia has been enhancing its partnership base with various stakeholders, capitalizing on successful projects, such as, for example, UNDP’s “Kolba Labs” and UNICEF Innovation Labs. The Government continues to expand its reach amongst young innovators and social entrepreneurs, to tackle financial illiteracy, to promote business planning, to ensure increased access to finance for young people, and to broaden engagement of citizens in co-creating development solutions.

We strongly believe that youth should be a cross cutting priority throughout the Post-2015 Development Agenda with attention given to them in all focus areas and ensuring that their social, economic and financial inclusion becomes integral part of the agenda.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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