Tanzania’s Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, has said that youth remain a powerful force for sustainable development when properly empowered and held accountable, especially on environmental issues.
He made the remarks while addressing the 14th World Youth Conference in Suzhou, China, which brought together young people from around the globe, including civil society actors, government representatives, and international organisations.
The conference, held under the theme “Youth as Catalysts for Sustainable Development: Give Them Space to Be Seen and Heard”, ended with a joint declaration urging governments to invest in youth inclusion and ensure their full participation in national development.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, Mr Kikwete outlined Tanzania’s strong commitment to youth empowerment under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He said the Sixth-Phase Government has taken deliberate policy, legal and strategic actions to position young people at the heart of the country’s development agenda.
Among the key measures he highlighted were the mandatory allocation of 10 percent of council revenues for loans to youth, women, and people with disabilities, and the 30 percent share of public procurement opportunities reserved for these groups.
He also pointed to efforts to reduce lending interest rates for young entrepreneurs and the rollout of major government programmes such as the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiatives in agriculture, livestock, and mining.
These initiatives, he said, have already demonstrated tangible results in creating job opportunities and promoting self-reliance among youth.
“In Tanzania, we are not just talking about youth inclusion; we are implementing real, impactful policies that allow our young people to thrive,” he told delegates.
The minister further cited the development of a new National Youth Policy and ongoing reforms aimed at improving access to finance, skills development, and market opportunities for young innovators and entrepreneurs.
The conference also featured virtual addresses by Mr Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Ms Nadia Rasheed, the UNFPA Representative in China.
Both leaders echoed calls for stronger youth engagement in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urging governments to listen to young voices and make room for their participation in decision-making.
The forum served as a platform for sharing best practices and fostering global cooperation in addressing youth challenges ranging from unemployment and climate change to digital transformation and mental health.
With its successful conclusion, the conference marks a renewed momentum in positioning youth at the centre of global development, and participating countries are expected to domesticate the resolutions adopted.
For Tanzania, Mr Kikwete’s presentation reaffirmed the country's steady progress and strong political will to build a more inclusive and empowered generation.