BAKU, Oct 30 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said Thursday his country was keen on effective participation in the First Global Forum on Youth Policies, held here between October 28 and 30.
The just-ended forum, organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, and the Council of Europe (CoE), at Baku Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, gathered more than 700 youths from 121 countries.
"The gathering showed that governments are increasingly aware of the need for legal and policy frameworks that respond adequately to young peoples' needs, aspirations and demands," Sheikh Salman told KUNA here before leaving for home.
"The State of Kuwait is keen on taking part in, and benefiting from, this important global initiative being sponsored by the UN and its competent agencies," he affirmed.
"Participation in this initiative helps developing a national youth policy that could serve the interests of the Kuwaiti youth under the behest of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the main sponsor of the youth affairs.
"The recommendations of the first global forum on youth policies include commitments for the youths, governments, and civil society organizations, to shoulder their responsibilities towards the developments of their respective communities," the minister pointed out.
Sheikh Salman highlighted the need to prioritize the youth policies and integrate them into the national development programs.
Sheikh Salman said held positive talks yesterday with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov, and Minister of Communication and Information Technology Ali Abbsov.
"The talks focused on ways to further enhance the friendly ties between Kuwait and Azerbaijan," he said, noting that both nations have much in common.
He thanked the Azeri leaders for hospitality and appreciated the efforts made by Kuwait Ambassador to Azerbaijan Saud Abdulaziz Al-Romi in arranging the meeting with them.
Sheikh Salman and his party were seen off by Ambassador Al-Romi and other diplomatic staff of the Kuwaiti embassy as well as a number of Azeri officials.
The global forum aimed to; revise the global blueprint for national youth policies provided by the World Program of Action for Youth; develop a common understanding of the needs for and rationales of systemic and cross-sectoral approaches to youth policy; and build a common understanding of guiding principles for integrated youth policy development. (pickup previous) as.gb