https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, May 17 (Alliance News): Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, and UNESCO Country Director Fuad Pashayev held a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday to discuss collaboration under UNESCO’s Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, focusing on education, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, climate resilience and technical skills development.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from both sides, aimed at aligning the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme with UNESCO’s global development priorities while positioning PMYP as a strategic implementation partner for youth-focused initiatives across Pakistan.
Officials said the discussions centered on utilizing PMYP’s nationwide youth development network to expand opportunities in education, innovation, entrepreneurship, technical training and employment for young people.
During the briefing, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan highlighted several flagship initiatives being implemented under PMYP, including the Digital Youth Hub, PM Youth Skills Development Programme, Matric Tech Programme, Green Youth Movement, National Volunteer Corps, National Youth Council and the PM Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme.
He said these initiatives are designed to connect Pakistani youth with educational opportunities, technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship support and climate-related engagement on a national scale.
According to Rana Mashhood, the government is committed to equipping young people with modern skills and resources needed to compete in rapidly evolving global economic and technological environments.
UNESCO Country Director Fuad Pashayev appreciated Pakistan’s rich cultural and historical heritage, observing that the country possesses significant potential for the inclusion of additional sites under UNESCO’s world heritage framework.
He reaffirmed that youth development remains among UNESCO’s central global priorities and emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships aimed at empowering young populations through education and innovation.
Pashayev described the Digital Youth Hub as an innovative national platform capable of linking young people with opportunities in education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and digital learning.
He also highlighted the growing importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), stating that vocational skills development can help bridge educational and economic gaps by preparing youth for employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Both sides discussed potential cooperation in areas including educational inclusion, digital literacy, STEAM education, green skills development, climate resilience and reforms in technical and vocational education systems.
Officials said the meeting also explored integrating UNESCO’s technical expertise and international standards into PMYP programmes, particularly within the Matric Tech Programme and PM Youth Skills Development initiatives.
Discussions further focused on utilizing the Digital Youth Hub as a national outreach platform for UNESCO-supported youth engagement activities and educational initiatives across Pakistan.
The two sides also deliberated on strengthening institutionalized youth policy dialogue through the National Youth Council and expanding climate-focused entrepreneurship initiatives through green TVET pathways and youth financing schemes.
Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan reiterated PMYP’s commitment to establishing a long-term strategic partnership with UNESCO Pakistan, stating that the programme offers a nationwide implementation framework capable of operationalizing large-scale youth development initiatives.
He emphasized that empowering youth through education, technology and sustainable economic opportunities remains a central component of Pakistan’s national development agenda.
Officials noted that closer collaboration between PMYP and UNESCO could contribute to achieving broader international development goals related to education, sustainability, youth inclusion and economic empowerment.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing interest in formalizing cooperation through a structured institutional framework aimed at promoting innovation, education, sustainability and employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.
Analysts believe stronger collaboration between national youth programmes and international organizations such as UNESCO could help accelerate skills development, digital inclusion and climate awareness among Pakistan’s growing youth population.
Experts also note that investments in technical education, entrepreneurship and digital literacy are becoming increasingly important for addressing unemployment and preparing young people for future economic challenges.
