Lanka to host UN World Youth parley

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

A high-level UN delegation along with an estimated 1,500 representatives from all UN member countries are due to visit the World Conference on Youth 2014 hosted by Sri Lanka from May 6-10 in Colombo.

Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and Sri Lanka Youth Chairman Lalith Piyum Perera are taking part in the discussions in New York for the final preparations of the world conference after four years.

The government which invited UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon as the chief guest for the global event awaits a positive response, whilst a delegation of foreign Youth Ministers, representatives from the International Youth Organisation, Differently-abled youth Organisation, Youth led organisations and two representatives from each UN member country are due to take part in the conference.

The Ninth Commonwealth Youth Forum President Kusala Kumara Fernando told the Sunday Observer that it for the first time a conference is being held in the Asian region since the last conference in Mexico in 2010. The conference is not held regularly due to the high costs. When a country volunteers to host the conference the UN will also financially support it. Sri Lanka decided to host the conference at a youth leaders meeting held in 2011. The International Youth Task Force will organise the conference in May, Fernando said.

Preparations are already under way to host the mega event and hold the opening ceremony and main sessions at the BMICH.

All 192 UN member countries have been invited to the event. The theme of the World Conference on Youth 2014, is post 2015 Agenda.