Monday 26 September 2022
The Government plans to roll out a youth cadetship programme in the country as a tool for capacity building and training, to equip them to be owners, drivers, leaders and entrepreneurs to build PNG forward.
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape made these remarks in his address to the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Friday 23 September 2022.
He said the PNG Defence Force, in partnership with the National Volunteer Service, would take charge of this programme.
“A resounding call we continue to hear – loud and clear, and repeatedly, and rightly so – is the importance of empowering youth to be at the table of decision-making about their lives and livelihoods and as real partners for national development,” PM Marape told the UNGA.
“This is indeed long overdue and must be brought to fruition without further delay.
“In recognition of the ever-increasing youth bulge in the country and the challenges they continue to face, under my government’s development priorities, youth is now front and centre for nation-building.
“We are also using our education system as a lever to foster integral human development for our youth and we welcome development partners to join us in this transformative endeavour.”
PM Marape said it was in this spirit that PNG was pleased to be a main sponsor and strong supporter of the establishment of a Youth Office in the UN Secretariat.
“It was also pleasing to note the consensus on this issue,” he said.
“While we recognize that much more work remains to be done, however, once operationalized, we look forward to harnessing the UN Youth Office to support our national efforts on the youth agenda.
“The potential of our youth was well recognized by Her Excellency Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, and the Youth Special Envoy, during their groundbreaking visit to my country in March 2020,” Prime Minister added.