UN chief's envoy for youth to visit India this week

United Nations: UN chief Ban Ki-moon's envoy for youth will begin a visit to India on Tuesday, focussing on highlighting future youth strategies to implement the Sustainable Development Goals and will hold talks with senior political leadership and youth and civil society groups.

UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi will lead a mission to India, which has the world?s largest number of young people, till August 28.

During his visit, the first by the UN Envoy on Youth to India, Alhendawi will brief the UN Country Team and UN Youth Task Force on future youth strategies in implementing the SDGs, according to a press statement.

Alhendawi will have high-level meetings with officials at India's Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The envoy will begin his visit with an address to the AIESEC 2015 International Congress in Gurgaon on the theme '020 AIESEC Strategy' AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential.

He will then participate in the launch of the youth mobilization campaign 'Dizzy Goals' that aims at harnessing the energy and popularity of football to propel better global understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

The mission will conclude on August 28, with Alhendawi meeting with youth and civil society organisations; interacting with adolescent youth who are part of a UNFPA- implemented Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) in New Delhi and addressing a town hall meeting with UN Volunteers.

The UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth is mandated with the task of bringing the voices of young people to the United Nations System.

The envoy works with different UN Agencies, governments, civil society, academia and media towards enhancing, empowering and strengthening the position of young people within and outside of the United Nations System.

The work plan of the UNSGs Envoy on Youth outlines four priority areas of participation, advocacy, partnerships and harmonisation.

The envoy seeks to increase focus on youth employment and civic engagement while ensuring the integration of a gender perspective across all work areas.