30 October 2014: The first Global Forum on Youth Policies focused on cross-sectoral approaches and guiding principles for youth policy development. More than 700 participants drafted the Baku Commitment to Youth Policies, pledging support to countries that are developing national youth policies, and committing to strengthen such efforts globally. The inaugural forum took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 28-30 October 2014.

The Forum was convened by the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, together with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Council of Europe, and the host country.

Bringing together youth ministers, representatives, experts, advocates, and UN representatives, the meeting took stock of national and international governance efforts around issues important to young people. The proceedings highlighted that 127 countries have adopted a national youth policy, but young people must be more involved in their implementation and monitoring. Youth participant Vinicius Tsugue stressed the need for policies that are simple to understand, saying “We cannot spend two hours reading something to understand what youth policy is all about.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered a video message on the first day of the conference, emphasizing that empowering young people is one of his top priorities as Secretary-General. “I call on all governments to help young people participate more fully in civic and public life, and in making decisions that will build a better world,” he said. Alhendawi said, “Young people are not asking for support – they are asking for investment.” He stressed that young people represent a powerful force for development and transformation, with a population of 1.8 billion worldwide and bright futures ahead.

The issue of youth unemployment was discussed at length, with participants sharing their particular challenges and potential policy solutions. “There are so many places to work, but there are not enough young people who are qualified to work there. They lack the experience. At universities, we have to start practice-based education so that they can work right after,” said Bolortsetseg Sosorburam of the Mongolian Youth Federation.

In the Baku Commitment, participants agreed to a common definition and set of underlying principles for more effective youth policies. Commitments were made to: implement the World Programme on Action for Youth; promote synergies between youth policies and the post-2015 development agenda; establish a Global Initiative on Youth Policies; enable greater involvement of young people and civil society in decision-making and implementation; and further develop the research and knowledge-base around youth issues.

At the close of the Conference, Alhendawi announced the forthcoming launch of a global initiative on youth policies that will provide technical support and assistance to governments and countries as they develop national youth policies. [Statement of UN Secretary-General] [Baku Commitment to Youth Policies] [Forum Website] [Youth Envoy Press Release] [UN Press Release, 30 October] [UN Press Release, 29 October] [UN Press Release, 28 October] [UN Press Release, 27 October]