OIC Marks Youth Day With Focus On Empowerment And Sustainable Development Goals

Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), highlighted the necessity for member states to enhance their collective efforts in empowering youth. He stressed the importance of achieving the targets set in the OIC-2025: Programme of Action, the OIC Youth Strategy, and the Sustainable Development Goals by fostering youth partnerships.

During his speech on OIC Youth Day, celebrated annually on September 3, Taha acknowledged the significant strides made by member states. These efforts, in collaboration with relevant OIC institutions, focus on building capacities and empowering youth. He noted their role in political decision-making and meaningful engagement in economic and social development.

Taha also emphasized protecting young people from misleading ideologies and violent extremism. He underscored enabling them to contribute progressively to their communities' development. The Secretary-General called for acquiring contemporary knowledge and skills alongside adopting innovative sustainable technologies for a cleaner, greener future.

The Secretary-General urged all member states to invest more in digital transformation. He highlighted its crucial role in empowering youth and achieving both OIC goals and Sustainable Development Goals. Taha also called on relevant OIC institutions to support these efforts by member states.

Additionally, he drew attention to the suffering endured by Palestinian youth due to unjustifiable military aggression by illegal Israeli occupation authorities. This issue remains a significant concern for the OIC.

Taha expressed appreciation for the steps taken by member states to enhance youth roles in political decision-making processes. He stressed engaging them meaningfully in economic and social development initiatives as vital for progress.

In conclusion, Taha reiterated the need for collective efforts to empower youth through capacity building and partnerships. He called for continued investment in digital transformation to achieve a prosperous future aligned with OIC's goals.

With inputs from SPA