With young people at the heart of the discussion, this event brings partners together to explore what changes are needed in education and across society to build the green skills and green jobs to deliver a just and sustainable transition.
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Co-organised with UNEP and the Government of Cyprus, in partnership with ILO, UNICEF and the Government of India, this side-event will host an intergenerational dialogue between youth, UN leaders, Government ministers and experts in green skills and education. It will explore the intersection of green jobs, education and sustainable lifestyles, highlighting how these elements can converge to create a just and equitable future for all.
New commitments to the Green Jobs for Youth Pact will be unveiled at the event with the outcomes contributing to the Summit of the Future and inform the SDG review process and contribute to the implementation of the UNEA-6 resolution on sustainable lifestyles.
Objectives
Skills for the Future: Discuss how to equip youth with essential skills for the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy, emphasizing the role of education in sustainable development.
Systemic Change: Promote systemic transformations in key sectors to accelerate sustainable development, focusing on sustainable lifestyles and green jobs.
Youth Engagement: Empower youth to take an active role in driving sustainable development by fostering collaboration between educational institutions, governments, and various stakeholders.
Intergenerational Equity and Solidarity: Highlight the importance of fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens across generations to ensure ethical stewardship of the planet.
Expected Outcomes
Strengthen cooperation around Green Skills/Green Jobs: Strengthening global frameworks, alliances and regional strategies, including collaboration specifically in support of the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, UNECE, and other relevant organizations, to adapt education and training programs to meet the demands of a green economy. This event will present new and impactful commitments by different stakeholder groups, monitored and evaluated through the Green Jobs for Youth Pact on the green jobs/skills agenda, as well as call to actions, these can be a contribution to the legacy of the Summit for the Future that showcases the impact of the event.
SDG Review Process: The event outcomes will be tied into the upcoming SDG review processes, particularly those focused on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) in 2025, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) in 2026, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) in 2027. This will ensure that the event's discussions contribute directly to global sustainable development goals.
Meaningful Youth Representation and Participation in Global Discussions: Enhanced representation of youth in global discussions on sustainability, with young people taking on more active roles in international negotiations and policy-making processes to accelerate the transition to a low carbon and circular economy. This event will showcase clear mechanisms and best practices which put youth in the forefront, empowered to be actors of change.
Increased Awareness: Greater public awareness of the importance of intergenerational equity and the role of youth in achieving sustainable development. The event will highlight the critical need for urgent action and the role of young people in driving this change.
Strengthened the role of education as key driver for integrating green and just transition: Discussed strategies that enhance the role of education in promoting green skills and sustainable lifestyles. This event aims to ensure that education systems are better aligned with the needs of a green economy, and that young people are adequately prepared to lead the transition to a sustainable future.