Canada and Qatar join Generation Unlimited as Co-Lead Government Partners In Landmark Announcement
This four-year $80M commitment championing economic empowerment of youth will help UNICEF’s GenU catalyze efforts to fulfil its ambition of reaching at least 300 million young people by 2027
New York, September 26 – In a major moment for advancing global support for young people, Canada and the State of Qatar have joined as Co-Lead Government Partners for UNICEF's Generation Unlimited (GenU) to champion economic empowerment through digital and green initiatives. This first-of-its-kind alliance will see the two governments extend their resources and global influence, helping Generation Unlimited catalyze efforts to fulfil its ambition of reaching at least 300 million youth by 2027.
Officially unveiled at a special session of GenU’s Global Leadership Council (GLC) by co-hosts Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, HE Lolwah RM Al-Khater, and Canada’s Minister of International Development, Hon. Ahmed Hussen, this four-year joint commitment of $80 million will equip the next generation – especially girls and young women – with skills and opportunities for a green, digital and inclusive future with expanded programmes and new partnerships.
This announcement comes after a meeting between His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and the Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada in Ottawa earlier in September, where the two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation on social and economic progress in developing countries. Under a framework for cooperation signed by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Qatar’s Education Above All Foundation (EAA) with a joint commitment of $95 million to co-fund development projects in the education sector, Generation Unlimited will receive $80 million to support efforts for marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Speaking before the GLC, a prominent assembly of global Public-Private-Youth leaders from various sectors that convenes to take action on youth development initiatives, H.E. Lolwah RM Al-Khater stated: “The State of Qatar attaches great importance to the potential of youth both in Qatar and abroad. We are pleased to support Generation Unlimited, a global Public-Private-Youth Partnership, which aims to skill and connect the world’s 1.8 billion young people.” Thanking Minister Hussen for mobilizing this partnership and acknowledging the support of Education Above All Foundation CEO Fahad Al Sulaiti, she added: “Solidarity and multilateral action are more important than ever, and Qatar is committed to supporting these efforts through humanitarian development assistance.”
Hon. Ahmed Hussen added, “We are very honored to become UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited government co-lead alongside Qatar—a country committed to collaborating with Canada on global challenges. Together, we will empower youth for climate action, enabling them to acquire digital skills, and supporting their entry into value-added agriculture. Jobs in the green economy of the future are the best way to achieve our sustainable development goals, and we must ensure that we open up new pathways for prosperity while enabling young people to contribute to making their communities more climate resilient. A priority on climate and access to digital skills reflect what Generation Unlimited and UNICEF are all about, and we are excited to be working together.”
The two Lead Governments will play a crucial and catalytic role in advancing GenU’s mission by championing its objectives, shaping supportive policies for young people on a global scale, and partnering with nations that can unlock vital resources to enable digital and green initiatives on skills development, employment, entrepreneurship especially the marginalized, adolescent girls and young women.
Kevin Frey, CEO of Generation Unlimited, said: “We are not going to accomplish SDGs 1 through 16 without SDG 17: Partnerships. That's why we are so thrilled to welcome Canada and the State of Qatar as Lead Governments of Generation Unlimited. Canada and Qatar's support is a game changer that will create opportunities for millions of young people to gain skills and livelihoods and prepare for the twin digital and green transitions that are shaping their futures."
Abdulla Al-Abdulla, Executive Director of an EAA Foundation Programme, said: "At EAA Foundation, we view this partnership as a catalyst for collaborative efforts between foundations and governments. By uniting under a shared vision for sustainable development, we harness our collective strengths and pool our resources for the advancement of education. Our goal is to make education both accessible and impactful, equipping vulnerable communities worldwide with the necessary skills for a greener future. Through education for climate action initiatives, we are committed to reaching 3 million youth beneficiaries with the knowledge and necessary tools to take meaningful climate adaptation actions in their communities and gain employment in the green economy. This partnership propels us towards a more sustainable and inclusive world, demonstrating the significant strides we can make together."
This new role advances commitments from the Governments of Canada and Qatar to work with partners and stakeholders to achieve the 2030 Sustainability Development Goals Agenda through concrete actions.
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