Youth are active partners, not only future leaders - Al-Sheikh

Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Youth (PAYS), Nasser Al-Sheikh, affirmed Friday that Kuwait considers youth active partners in its present, not merely future leaders. Al-Sheikh emphasized the need to invest in young generations for the future of the world, in line with the New Kuwait 2035 vision and the principles established by the World Program of Action for Youth. Al-Sheikh made this statement during his participation in a UN meeting to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the World Program of Action for Youth, held on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Al-Sheikh said that Kuwait has made youth issues a central focus of its national priorities and has translated this commitment through practical policies and initiatives led by the Public Authority for Youth, foremost among which is the National Youth Policy, which focuses on capacity development, creativity, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and leadership, with a focus on future sciences and the green, knowledge, and creative economy. Al-Sheikh said that the Public Authority for Youth has included climate and environmental action among the priorities of its strategy (2025-2030). Al-Sheikh added that Kuwait has launched qualitative initiatives such as the "Kuwait Award for Youth Excellence and Creativity" and the "Mubadaratna" program to support non-profit youth projects with a developmental focus, in addition to establishing the Kuwait Youth Council, which reports directly to the Minister of State for Youth Affairs. Al-Sheikh highlighted the strategic partnerships Kuwait has established with the United Nations, most notably the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), through the "Youth Empowerment" project, to enhance skills and active participation in public life. He also emphasized the importance of involving youth in peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts, giving them a fundamental role in climate action and international policy formulation. The Acting Director of the Public Authority for Youth emphasized the need to protect youth from any acts of retaliation or intimidation and to ensure a safe environment that guarantees their free participation. He welcomed the second phase of the United Nations Youth Office Strategy (2025-2030), stressing that providing it with sustainable and sufficient resources would make the voice of youth a real force for building a more just and sustainable future for all of humanity.