Amman and Abu Dhabi – The Arab Youth Center (AYC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced today that 11 youth delegates from the Arab region have commenced their roles as Youth Development Delegates to support countries across the region to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Youth Delegates are the first cohort in a new initiative between AYC and UNDP, which seeks to empower youth and support development progress across the Arab region.

Sponsored by the AYC, based in the United Arab Emirates, the first cohort of Delegates will work for one year as staff members in support of UNDP offices in Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, State of Palestine, Somalia, Syria and Tunisia, as well as the UNDP Regional Hub in Amman.

The Youth delegates are starting their work in a very difficult period, as the COVID19 pandemic sweeps across the world challenging countries to respond, plan for recovery and consider ways to prevent similar crises in the future. Prioritizing public health and safety, and in line with guidance from the World Health Organization, UNDP and local authorities, the programme launch was conducted virtually. Delegates will initiate their activities through telecommuting arrangements implemented by UNDP until further notice.

“It is encouraging to witness this new generation of competent young leaders standing by ready to play an active and significant role in society and to drive the sustainable development agenda in their countries, said H.E Shamma Al Mazroui, Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, in the United Arab Emirates and the Vice-chair of AYC. “Youth under the age of 29 constitute almost two-thirds of the population in the Arab region. Their active engagement is imperative to enable us to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in our region.”

The Youth Development Delegates will engage directly on youth-focused development issues, as part of UNDP’s programming in coordination with local, regional and international partners. The Programme also gives the participants an opportunity to receive funding from AYC for innovative projects addressing the development needs of youth, in collaboration with UNDP country offices, which will oversee the implementation of these projects.

“As UNDP, we believe that engaging young people as drivers of development solutions is pivotal for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the impact of our development support around the world,” said Sarah Poole, Director, a.i. of the Regional Bureau for Arab States in UNDP. “We thank the Arab Youth Center for sponsoring this exciting initiative, which will lead to fresh thinking at a time when UNDP will be called upon to provide our best support for countries to recover from the vast impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while keeping an eye on the future and pathways to sustainable and inclusive development.”

Delegates will also gain an opportunity to network widely with peers across the Arab States region through biannual training sessions and periodic activities organized through the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP). YLP has been implemented by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States since 2015 in collaboration with a wide array of partners. The Delegates programme will also play an important role in strengthening coordination between UNDP and the AYC with a view to jointly engaging in development initiatives across the Arab States region going forward.

Support for the initiative voiced by policymakers engaged in youth issues across the region:

“Encouraging youth to assume leadership positions across various fields of development is a main objective for the Kingdom of Bahrain. We aim to employ youth capabilities, while maximizing and sustaining the impact of their ideas for the present and future, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor, and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports for Youth and Sports, to empower youth and foster young leaders that are capable of driving forward the objectives of building and development.”

HE Ayman Tawfiq Almoayyad

Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs – Bahrain

“Lebanese youth and women are the force of change. The objective of this program is to generate an impact that transcends geographical borders and creates a roadmap that empowers Lebanese youth, while helping them network with youth abroad for the benefit of all.”

Violette Khairallah Safadi

Former Minister of State for Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth – Lebanon

"The mission of the members of the YDD Program will continue as ambassadors of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 in the Arab region even after this cohort is concluded. A year from now, they will keep on empowering their peers as they become role models for youth who are aspiring to fulfil their potential and actively contribute to fostering socio-economic development."

HE Saeed Al Nazari

Director General of Federal Youth Authority and Chief Strategy Officer at Arab Youth Center - UAE

Contact Information

Doaa Kazweni, Project Manager, Youth Development Delegates in the Arab Region, Arab Youth Center, UAE Email: Doaa.Kazweni@arabyouthcenter.org | Tel: 971 56 258 9005

Noeman AlSayyad, Regional Communications Advisor, UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, Amman Hub Email: noeman.alsayyad | Tel: +962 79 567 2901