1 Billion Futures: Unlocking Youth Livelihoods through Public–Private Action
Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council (GLC), hosted with the Government of Qatar and Qatar Fund for Development, convened leaders to transform fragmented efforts for youth skilling and livelihoods into national-scale solutions.
New York, September 2025 — Within the context of UNGA80, the GLC co-chaired by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and PwC Global Chairman Mohamed Kande, brought together Heads of State and Government, CEOs of world-leading companies, development organizations and youth changemakers to chart a bold path forward to unlock livelihoods for 1.2 billion young people preparing for the future of work through deep government–business collaboration.
In her keynote address, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, the recently appointed Global Chair of UNICEF’s Green Rising initiative, reminded those gathered in the room, “We sustain the world by creating opportunities for young people.”
The tone for the meeting was set by Akeem Chandler-Prescod, a young spoken word artist from Barbados, with his poem “1 Billion Futures,” that laid bare young people’s aspirations and fears and made a compelling call to rebalance the systems for inclusive and equitable development.
From Fragmented Initiatives to National-Scale Solutions
The GLC meeting focused on transforming fragmented efforts into national-scale strategies that equip youth with demand-led skills and connect them to real opportunities. Discussions emphasized the importance of creating dignified work and structured pathways that support young people transitioning from learning to earning, touching on themes outlined in GenU’s Executive Report, Pathways to Prosperity. The challenge was seen as not only the quantity of jobs, but also the quality and access. Leaders reflected on how systems must evolve to accommodate the expected non-linear nature of these transitions – involving re-skilling, switching sectors, and navigating both formal and informal work.
With only 400 million jobs projected for 1.2 billion youth entering the labor market by 2035 (World Bank, 2025), leaders emphasized the need for bold, coordinated action, sharing concrete examples from their countries and organizations.
“It’s a critical time: the largest generation of young people in history is seeking pathways to decent work and entrepreneurship.”
“Let us break down the silos, pool our strengths and act with urgency. Over 1 billion futures are on the line.”
“It’s not about handouts, but about giving everyone a shot.”
Partnering with Purpose: Aligning Skills with Jobs
Speakers underscored the importance of aligning education and training with market needs. Governments were urged to integrate future-ready skills into national strategies, keeping in mind both local and international demand, while the private sector was called to co-design curricula and offer paid internships. There was resounding consensus on the need for sustained cross-sectoral collaboration.
“Skills do not automatically lead to a paycheck.” — reflected Christian Klein, CEO, SAP SE and GenU Board Chair. Urging his peers, he emphasized, “We need Generation Unlimited now more than ever, because now is the time to lead. Now is the time when the private and public sectors have to raise their voices and say: we are there.”
“Government has the policies, but private sector knows the skills required. Together we can make sure that hundreds of millions of people in the Global South have jobs and dignity.”
“We need to be paid in our training programmes. The reason why is because you need to be able to get to the location of your trainings. You need to be able to afford the training materials and the food you’ll need.”
Harnessing AI as an Equalizer
AI and digital transformation were framed as tools to elevate youth, not replace them. Leaders highlighted AI’s potential to accelerate learning, formalize informal work, and create new pathways to higher-level jobs.
"Augmented intelligence is a tool not a trap. The potential of giving people access to jobs that their formal training can’t give them is huge,” said Alexander De Croo, former Prime Minister, Belgium.
“Young people are what bring energy into firms, are what pushes innovation, what drives change. GenAI can augment young people to do the jobs of more experienced people.”
Entrepreneurship: A Multiplier of Jobs and Leadership
Entrepreneurship was spotlighted as a key driver of youth employment, where youth themselves can play an important role in job creation. Leaders called for enabling environments, access to finance, and support for youth-led enterprises to turn into sustainable businesses.
“You can’t ‘grant’ your way to success. There should be a more deliberate approach to creating the entrepreneurs, ensuring they understand that they have to find solutions to the problems in their countries.”
“We need simpler business registrations, tax incentives, and business loans at competitive interest rates.”
“We cannot place people on jobs if we don't create it. The most difficult thing is creating jobs within the national plan.”
“The type of skill sets that we need from employees in businesses in Africa is very entrepreneurial thinking, making things happen, overcoming the hurdles and challenges that you find in nascent economies.”
Investing in Youth, with the Youth, for Economic Transformation
With declining official development assistance (ODA), leaders called for creative financial models to unlock youth opportunities. Youth employment was framed not as charity, but as a strategic investment in growth, innovation, and stability. The value of solutions being co-designed with youth-led organizations, including perspectives of marginalized groups and being rooted in local realities was recognized, as was the need for this being backed by sustained political will.
“We sustain the world by creating opportunities for young people.”
"Our athletes, our creatives and entrepreneurs are already showing what resilience and talent can achieve. With the right partnerships, South Sudan’s youth won't just seek jobs, they will create them – for our economy, our unity, our future.”
“African youths are not only the leaders of tomorrow, they are the promoters of changes and the leaders of today, the innovators of today.”
“We are our own power and we just need to be enabled.”
