A grand reception was held at St James’ Palace to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and to recognize the outstanding contributions of young people to sustainable development. The event also paid homage to the enduring support of past leaders towards youth development spanning five decades. During the reception, Dr. Muhammad Ali, Deputy Secretary of Youth Affairs Pakistan presented key elements of the draft ministerial statement from the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministries meeting. This statement outlined the preamble, core values, and principles of the Year of Youth mandate, emphasizing the pivotal role of technology, accessible education, youth engagement, employment opportunities, policy development, and partnerships. These actions are geared towards translating the overarching theme of "aiming higher" into tangible, measurable outcomes. In his address, Dr. Muhammad Ali underscored the Commonwealth's forward-looking approach, highlighting the importance of integration, feedback mechanisms, and accountability. He provided insights into the draft ministerial statement, comprising 63 paragraphs. The initial paragraphs (1 to 9) focused on the preamble and core values of the Commonwealth, while paragraphs 10 to 14 emphasized the Year of Youth mandates, recognizing the significant contributions of the Commonwealth Youth Programme in global youth development. The implementation plan for the Year of Youth, aimed at creating a peaceful and sustainable Commonwealth future, was also endorsed. Dr. Muhammad Ali further elaborated on the progress of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, outlining significant allocations in various areas. Under the engagement domain, funds amounting to 5 billion were designated for the Sports Endowment Fund to support emerging talent and player development. Additionally, 5 billion were exclusively earmarked for women's empowerment, encompassing daycare centre establishment, support for young women professionals, and aid to marginalized and rural women through asset transfers and micro-business grants. In the environmental sector, a substantial 5 billion was allocated to the Green Revolution Project for mechanized farming in the agriculture sector. Furthermore, a significant 30 billion investment was earmarked for renewable and green energy, with a specific focus on solarizing agriculture tube wells. Dr. Muhammad Ali emphasized the imperative of concrete actions and meaningful strategies that create an enabling environment for young people to reach their full potential, leaving no one behind. He called for collective reflection and introspection on whether they are genuinely aiming higher and striving to do more for the youth by placing their trust in them. In closing, Dr. Muhammad Ali expressed confidence in achieving these objectives through collaboration and partnership, underlining the Commonwealth's commitment to empowering its youth.
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