On September 12, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan participated in the 10th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians - “Avoiding lost generations: Preserving education and employment in all circumstances” and delivered remarks during the “Countdown to 2030: Where are we on youth education and employment?” session. 

“It is my country’s pleasure to welcome you in Armenia at the Tenth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians․ We are truly honored and pleased to host such an impressive number of young parliamentarians from all over the world to discuss the current challenges and aspirations of youth for delivering effective solutions.

It is symbolic that the 10th anniversary Global Conference is being held in Armenia, a country with a millennia-old history and culture and, at the same time, a young parliamentarian democracy striving to deliver progressive changes for its citizens, particularly youth who are not only the future but the present of Armenia.

I would like to express my gratitude to my friend, Dr Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, for his attendance at this Conference and insightful remarks outlining efforts of his Office to promote the youth agenda across the UN system. The establishment of the new office within the United Nations reflects a global commitment to addressing youth issues in a more integrated and holistic manner. Armenia fully supports and gives utmost importance to the activities of his office.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Every individual has the right to education, furthermore quality and inclusive education, and pragmatically it is essential for developing human capital and ensuring equal opportunities for decent work. The very fact that quality education is one of SDGs is very vocal. The SDG Summit last year offered a chance to assess the progress of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. According to the Special Edition of the Sustainable Development Goals Report, without further action, around 84 million children and young people will remain out of school, and approximately 300 million students will lack essential numeracy and literacy skills. In this context, as we approach the Summit of the Future, meetings like this, play a crucial role in advancing efforts to achieve quality education for all by 2030 and beyond. And here, dear colleagues, I do believe that both executive and legislative bodies have one goal to deliver the promise of SDG 4.

Entitled with the legislative power you, as parliamentarians, are uniquely positioned to drive transformative changes that will empower youth and facilitate their full, equal and meaningful participation in all areas of public life. Recently, Armenia has implemented a range of systemic, legal, and practical reforms in education, aligning with SDG 4 and its targets. The adoption of the State Education Development Programme of the Republic of Armenia 2030 in 2022 represents a significant milestone in our country's efforts to transform its education system. This programme also extensively addresses vocational education and creation of lifelong learning opportunities to facilitate the transition from school to work and align skills with labor market needs, thereby helping to reduce youth unemployment.

Dear participants,

Our collective efforts should be intensified to ensure that every young person has access to quality and affordable education and decent job opportunities. By prioritizing innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration, we can transform the current landscape and empower the next generation to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. This conference highlights the power of youth-led innovation and leadership. By translating our discussions into actions, we can ensure that every young person is well-equipped with knowledge and skills to shape a brighter and more equitable future.

I would like to conclude by wishing successful deliberations to this session and expressing hope that its outcomes will contribute to national and international efforts in empowering youth.

I thank you.”