Mon, Oct 1, 2018
Speech of Iraqi Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al- Jaafari at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77 and China On the margins of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York
In the name of of Allah the Merciful
Mr. Chairman of the Group of 77 and China.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Allow me to extend to you the warmest greetings, on behalf of Iraq, and to congratulate the delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the wise and successful leadership of the Group and thank you for the good work you have done to complete the work of the Group this year to the fullest.
All the good wishes and high appreciation for the State of Palestine and the President Mahmoud Abbas for his presidency of the next session.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The international community has recently recognized the role and importance of young people in shaping the future of the world, which calls for the appropriate enviroment and opportunity to participate in various aspects of economic, political, social and cultural life. Those relating to the implementation of the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan
The issue of youth employment and the elimination of unemployment among them is not only a matter of justice; it is a matter of defending the dignity of the human being, protecting him from wasting human potential and preserving the human sense of humanity. For the purpose of enabling young people to reach the labor market, Preventive measures to address directly the challenges faced by this group, and to develop short-, medium- and long-term solutions, strategies and global, peace and decent lives for young people to reach sustainability.
Ladies and Gentlemen..
The difficult circumstances experienced by my country Iraq following the terrorist acts committed by the Daesh terrorist gang and the resulting violence against all segments of society, especially the youth , have resulted in a number of challenges, such as the spread of youth unemployment and high rates of emigration. The rapid technological development, the technological revolution, and the Internet that is happening now in various fields, capitalists are turning to modern technologies instead of employing young people .. These new technological changes is a result of the disruption of the political situation, and social peace which may lead to severe phenomena, such as the spread of crime, falling into the clutches of addiction, and other social issues.
Ladies and Gentlemen..
The Government of my country has realized these conditions; it has issued appropriate legislation and encouraged small enterprises that have contributed significantly to removing obstacles that prevent young people from gaining employment opportunities. In addition, frameworks have been set up to ensure that the private sector operates without restrictions, And to encourage the provision of training opportunities for youth, facilitate financing and promote the idea of entrepreneurship. The National Development Plan for the years 2018-2022, a broad plan for the re-advancement of young people, is also focused on the priority of the youth sector's psychologicaly and socially , The aim of the plan is to commit to the implementation of national youth-related policies and strategies by supporting plans and operational programs for the employment of young people and opening the future to the growing numbers of young people that will ensure their positive role in development, And enhance their national sense and effective follow-up of plans, programs, and strategic policies, and identify the obstacles facing implementation, and provide an environment for young people economically and committing the relevant bodies to implement plans, programs, and the development of educational programs, the scientific specialization whose educational outputs are consistent with the requirements of the labor market and the increase in loans to young people; the establishment of small income-generating projects, especially rural youth and slum dwellers; the activation of the role of the private sector; Youth, to promote awareness of the importance of tolerance, dialogue and community cohesion, to promote a culture of tolerance and acceptance of others, to expand the establishment of sports and recreational centers for young people, to empower young people in areas affected by terrorist acts and to introduce youth in training courses And to build productive youth leaderships, a completed initiative that enhances their active role in social life, and the containment of the high percentage of displaced youth in order to protect them from deviation, And to develop specialized psychological programs aimed at young people in conflict with the law, young people affected by terrorist acts, support and care for young people who have been exploited, abused or abused; to promote their well-being and to facilitate their reintegration into society
Ladies and Gentlemen..
The efforts of the Government of my country to take care of the youth sector have taken on broader dimensions in order to keep up with the international community as it seeks to achieve the goals of the 2030 sustainable development plans, to promote the social reality of Iraq, especially the investment of youth energy, Their societies and their nations at the political and economic levels. We in Iraq recognize the importance of the role of young people, and to invest their energies, competencies and ideas constructively. The Iraqi Government, in cooperation with United Nations agencies The United Nations and its UN team in Iraq, as well as with civil society organizations to achieve community reconciliation and community development, using young people's ideas, fulfilling their desires to help their communities and building a sustainable development economy.
We would like to point out that all these efforts, and what we have achieved, are carried out in a high-level partnership with our national and international partners.
Ladies and Gentlemen..
This triangle remains: women, youth, and children are the ones who build the features of the new society. The young man is concerned with the making of reality, and the child is concerned with the creation of the future, women are concerned with the making of the makers : young people and children.
In conclusion, I assure you that my country, despite the challenges it faces on behalf of the world in fighting terrorist gangs, and the effects of modern technological developments, the Internet and globalization in the loss of young people of their jobs, is working to find the best mechanisms and solutions in the field of youth employment In view of the security and economic crises, and the significant role of the States in providing support and assistance to Iraq; to enable us to meet our commitments, This makes it imperative for the international community to stand by Iraq; to keep pace with the sustainable development of the year 2030 plan, and express to you my delegation's willingness to provide what would be in the interests of our group.
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
To read the full piece from Iraq Ministry of Foreign Affairs, click here.