UN Jamaica launches inaugural Youth Advisory Group, bringing youth leaders to the front of Sustainable Development Goals advocacy and decision making

The Youth Advisory Group (YAG) marks a significant step in the organization’s efforts to amplify youth leadership and engagement in sustainable development processes and programmes. This initiative aligns with the global UN Youth Strategy, Youth2030, which emphasizes the importance of meaningful youth participation in all areas of the UN's work.

The establishment of the YAG is a key component of UN Jamaica's comprehensive Youth Engagement Action Plan (YEAP). This plan, designed to bolster youth involvement across all pillars of the UN's work in Jamaica, is closely aligned with the timeline of the United Nations' current Cooperation Framework.

The Youth Advisory Group aims to provide young leaders in Jamaica with another platform to play an active and leading role in the country's sustainable development, working in close collaboration with the UN. Members of the YAG will gain valuable insights into UN programmes both globally and locally, while also offering recommendations to UN leadership on how these programmes can better serve the youth of Jamaica.

"We believe that the voices of young people are crucial in shaping the future of Jamaica," said Dennis Zulu UN Resident Coordinator. "The Youth Advisory Group is an opportunity for youth leaders to directly influence the UN's work in the country, ensuring that our programmes are inclusive, relevant, and effective."

Membership in the YAG will consist of active national youth representatives and emerging leaders who are committed to serving their communities. In line with the UN's mandate to "Leave No One Behind" (LNOB), the YAG will be both participatory and inclusive, representing the diverse voices and experiences of Jamaican youth.

The YAG is expected to further strengthen the UN's engagement with young people in Jamaica, fostering a generation of leaders who are equipped to drive the nation's development forward sustainably and equitably. 

The initiative underscores the United Nations' ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and its recognition of young people as key partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Jamaica and beyond.

“We recognise that we are borrowing this planet from young people, and we have a responsibility to leave it in good condition. This YAG ensures that Jamaica’s young people are not just in the front passenger seat, but are driving us towards resilient and sustainable development,” Zulu said.

Photos from the Youth Dialogue 

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