The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) today celebrates International Youth Day. Somalia has one of the youngest populations in the world. Seven out of 10 Somalis are younger than 30 years old.

“Most Somalis are young people. They want opportunities to fulfil their potential – including through education and jobs. They need to be at the centre of efforts to realise their hopes and expectations ” said Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Michael Keating. “I congratulate young men and women who are actively and positively engaged in their communities to improve the quality of life and social cohesion”.

“The evidence of young Somalis’ dynamism is everywhere – in the Olympics, in sport including the recent Inter-state football championship, in business, in humanitarian action -  and in politics, both within Somalia and in their adopted countries abroad. The point is that when young people are given opportunities, they seize them” said SRSG Keating.

“Young people need to see that their aspirations can be achieved within Somalia; insecurity is a particular challenge. Older Somalis and those in authority have a particular responsibility towards young people – including to foster political stability and help Somalia achieve its huge economic and social potential”.

The UN celebrates the achievements of young Somalis on International Youth Day. The SRSG praised  the steps taken by the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the importance of Somalia’s National Youth Policy, noting that they are in line with the Resolution for Youth, Peace and Security adopted by the UN Security Council in December last year.

“Improving young people’s lives is key to building lasting peace and stability in Somalia. It may be obvious but is still worth saying - the future rests with young people,” said SRSG Keating.