The Ministry of Youth and Sports celebrated International Youth Day under the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” emphasizing the vital role of grassroots involvement in advancing sustainable development initiatives.
Mario Velvur Gunda, the Ministry’s Director General of Youth, reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to empowering the youth of South Sudan to realize their aspirations.
He highlighted the importance of actively involving young people from all regions of South Sudan, stating, “It is crucial to engage all kinds of youth from every corner of South Sudan.”
Innocent Madisaosile, a representative from the UNFPA addressed the significant challenges faced by young people in South Sudan.
He emphasized UNDP’s commitment to collaborating closely with the South Sudanese government to address these urgent issues. “South Sudanese youth are encountering challenges similar to those faced by young people worldwide.
Issues such as early marriage and unemployment significantly affect our youth, and we will work hand in hand with the government to tackle these challenges,” he remarked.
Wadala Peter from Shabab El Shabab stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that time is running out to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
He called for swift action to engage communities and inspire transformative change from the grassroots level.
“We have a comprehensive work plan for all states, and we recognize that we cannot achieve our goals without involving the youth. Time is not on our side, so we must collaborate effectively to ensure these policies are implemented by 2030,” he asserted.