National Population Council Affirms Commitment to Empowering Youth for Sustainable Development on World Population Day
The Secretary-General of the National Population Council, Dr. Bothina Hussain Mohamed Adam, has affirmed that investing in youth represents an investment in stability and sustainable development, stressing the importance of providing quality education, comprehensive healthcare, and decent economic opportunities to enable young people to achieve their aspirations and actively contribute to society.
In a statement marking World Population Day, observed on July 11, Dr. Bothina said this year’s theme, “Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Youth Today and in the Future,” reflects a strong commitment to supporting youth and transforming their ambitions into tangible realities that strengthen social protection and build human capital.
She emphasized that youth empowerment is not merely a slogan, but an action-oriented plan that requires ensuring access to quality education, integrated health services, economic opportunities, and the right of young people to make informed decisions about their lives and future, describing these as essential pillars of social development.
The Secretary-General noted that when young people are equipped with knowledge, skills, employment opportunities, and a safe environment, they become a productive force, leaders of positive change, and a cornerstone of human resource development.
She highlighted the National Population Council’s priorities, including expanding access to reproductive health services and inclusive quality education for youth, particularly in marginalized rural and urban communities, as well as strengthening training and employment programs that transform skills into real job opportunities, with a focus on entrepreneurship and the digital economy.
Dr. Bothina also stressed the importance of enhancing youth participation in civic and public affairs and involving them in shaping policies related to population and development, noting that meaningful participation is essential for building inclusive and sustainable societies.
She called on government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and international partners to strengthen cooperation in addressing challenges facing young people, including discrimination, violence, and limited access to services, and to work together to turn these challenges into opportunities for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Secretary-General expressed appreciation to national and international partners, particularly United Nations agencies and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for their continued support of population and development initiatives in Sudan.
She concluded by reaffirming that the National Population Council will continue to champion the aspirations of youth and work toward achieving comprehensive population development, ensuring a future that fulfills the hopes of young men and women today and for generations to come.