The UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Mr Ahmad Alhendawi, addressed Commonwealth Youth Ministers on 17 April 2013, calling for a rethink and for a new debate around youth development. The meeting, which spanned three days, took place in Papua New Guinea’s capital city Port Moresby.
Mr Alhendawi spent the second day of his mission in Papua New Guinea (PNG) visiting slum areas and local villages around Port Moresby, including the Baruni Dump Slum area and Papa village.

He also met the UN Country Team in Papua New Guinea, who presented a briefing on the work of the United Nations for youth in the country. Discussions focused on establishing a UN task force on youth in Papua New Guinea, a Youth Advisory Group to the UN country team, and adding youth as a priority area to the coming UN Development Assistant Framework in the country.

The Envoy on Youth with members of the UN Country Team in Papua

The Envoy on Youth with members of the UN Country Team in Papua

In a separate meeting, Mr Alhendawi asked the Minister of Youth in Papua New Guinea to continue supporting the National Youth Commission, recognizing its importance in empowering young people in the country.