12 August 2013: The UN system celebrated the annual International Youth Day on 12 August 2013 with events and statements highlighting the importance of young people to international development, and by discussing youth issues. The theme of the 2013 celebration focused on issues of youth migration in the context of global development.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) hosted a panel discussion on “Youth migration and development: Moving development forward” at UN Headquarters in New York, US. The panel addressed: the opportunities and risks of youth migration, policies and programs for youth employment, and youth experiences of migration.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, delivered a message on the subject of youth migration, as young people constitute ten percent of the 214 million international migrants each year. He emphasized the positive contributions of young migrants to their societies, “economically and by enriching the social and cultural fabric.” A second High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development will be held in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in October 2013, and Ban urged Member States to consider youth in this discussion. [UN News Press Release] [UNSG Statement] [ILO Panel on Youth Migration and Development][IISD RS Sources]