Liberia Launches PATHWAYs Youth Framework UN for 2035 Vision

• Liberia launched its PATHWAYs framework at the UN, aiming to provide every young person with opportunities by 2035.
• Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti presented the framework, which integrates the Ministry of Youth and Sports' plans and national youth policy under a single mandate.
• The framework is built on six pillars: governance, evidence, the framework itself, sports, the creative economy, and strategic investment.
• Youth, peace, and security are top priorities for Liberia on the UN Security Council, with international partners urged to invest in the evidence-backed plan.
• UN agencies like UNFPA and UNDP support the initiative, recognizing youth as essential partners for economic growth and stable communities.

The framework is designed to unlock opportunities for future generations and to attract crucial investment to realize Liberia's 2035 youth vision.

Liberia has launched a comprehensive national youth development strategy, known as the PATHWAYs framework, with the ambitious goal of ensuring every young person in the country has a clear path to opportunity by 2035. This significant initiative was formally introduced at a high-level side event during the 81st U.N. General Assembly, hosted at the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York. The launch served as a global invitation for partners to invest in this forward-looking vision.

Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti spearheaded the presentation of the Liberia PATHWAYs Youth Framework UN, describing it as a pivotal document focused on youth, peace, security, and development. The framework is designed to unlock opportunities for future generations and to attract crucial investment to realize Liberia's 2035 youth vision. This strategic move underscores Liberia's commitment to its young populace and its proactive engagement on the international stage to secure their future.

The PATHWAYs framework is a comprehensive blueprint that consolidates existing efforts for young people across all 15 of Liberia's counties. It integrates the Ministry of Youth and Sports' five-year strategic plan and the national youth policy under a unified mandate, ensuring a cohesive approach to youth development. A core tenet of the framework is to empower young Liberians, giving them an active role in shaping the nation's future.

Foreign Minister Nyanti highlighted that youth, peace, and security are paramount priorities for Liberia, especially in its capacity on the U.N. Security Council. The framework is structured around six interconnected pillars: governance, evidence-based policy, the pathways framework itself, sports, the creative economy, and strategic investment. These pillars are intended to foster robust institutions, generate reliable data, and secure sustained investment, ultimately creating tangible opportunities for the youth.

Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah emphasized that the framework represents Liberia's public commitment to its young people, partners, and historical legacy, complete with measurable targets and a timeline for evaluation. She described the initiative as transparent and accessible, actively encouraging partners to invest in a plan grounded in evidence and demonstrable progress rather than mere promises. The initiative has garnered significant international backing, with support from the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), the U.N. Development Program (UNDP), the U.N. Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA), the U.N. Youth Office, and various governments and organizations.

Diene Keita, U.N. under-secretary-general and executive director of UNFPA, commended the 10-year framework, urging young people to embrace their roles as partners and leaders in building peaceful and inclusive societies. She affirmed UNFPA's support for the youth, peace, and security agenda, noting that investing in youth stimulates economic growth and fosters stable communities. Felipe Paullier, U.N. assistant secretary-general for youth affairs, praised Liberia's leadership on youth, peace, and security within the Security Council, particularly during its December presidency, viewing it as an opportunity for open debate. He stressed the importance of connecting the daily needs of young people with peace-sustaining efforts, leveraging opportunities in arts, culture, and sports. Nathalie Ndongo Seh, director of the Western Africa Division at the U.N. Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, underscored the necessity of aligning Liberia's national action plan with the PATHWAYs framework and the government's ARREST Agenda, pledging U.N. assistance for Liberia to present youth, peace, and security issues to the council during its December presidency and to share its experiences with regional bodies like ECOWAS and the Mano River Union.

This Liberia PATHWAYs Youth Framework UN initiative is more than just a policy document; it represents a profound national commitment to fostering a generation equipped for success, peace, and prosperity. By actively involving young Liberians in national development and prioritizing youth peace security, the framework lays a critical foundation for long-term stability and economic advancement. The international endorsement and call for investment highlight the global recognition of Liberia's proactive stance in addressing youth challenges.

The framework's emphasis on measurable targets and transparent implementation positions Liberia as a leader in youth development, offering a model for other nations. Its alignment with broader national agendas, such as the ARREST Agenda, and the intention to share experiences with regional partners like ECOWAS and the Mano River Union, underscore its potential for wider impact. This comprehensive strategy is designed to transform the lives of young Liberians, ensuring they are not only beneficiaries but also active architects of their nation's future, thereby contributing to a more peaceful and prosperous Liberia by 2035.

This initiative highlights Liberia's commitment to youth development and investment, creating potential avenues for legal and compliance professionals to advise on structuring international partnerships, navigating new regulatory frameworks for youth-focused projects, or identifying emerging investment opportunities within the country's 2035 youth vision.

Source: Original reporting via FrontPageAfrica