International Youth Day 2024

31 per cent of the 281 million total international migrants are under 30. As the most mobile social group, young people constitute the bulk of annual international migration movements.

Youth on the move are powerful agents of change, driving innovative solutions to migration challenges and opportunities and playing a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Young changemakers from the diaspora are at the forefront of innovation, utilizing technology to foster rapid communication and engagement, thereby reconnecting with their heritage and driving social cohesion across generations.

Many young people are actively engaging in their communities and advocating for innovative solutions to address migration challenges. They play a key role in driving change at a local, regional and global level.

IOM is committed to strengthening youth voices and providing them a platform to take the lead in finding innovative solutions to migration challenges.

With their expertise and experience, young people can raise awareness in ways that are accessible and relevant in their communities, strengthening IOM's work to promote access to information on safe, orderly, dignified and inclusive migration.

Let's empower youth in public policymaking and decision-making processes. By increasing their influence, we can achieve sustainable development and secure a better future where all generations thrive.

Achieving the SDGs requires global partnerships that include young people as equal stakeholders in the decision-making process.

Collaborative efforts between all migration stakeholders are essential for effective migration governance and sustainable development.

IOM aims to develop an Organizational Youth Strategy which will support youth on the move, in all diversity, to fully participate in social, economic and political life in their communities.

To further IOM commitment to work not only FOR but also WITH youth, the Youth Strategy will be developed in close cooperation with young people themselves.

IOM will continue to support the engagement of youth as key stakeholder on the Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration which places the whole of society approach as a guiding principle. Youth will continue to be supported as active partners of the UN Network on Migration, which IOM coordinates, in co-leadership of workstreams and actively monitoring the progress of implementing GCM objectives reflected in migration policies in their countries and regions.

As more young people navigate their transition into adulthood as migrants, or are affected by mobility in other ways, they are critical for the progress of both people and the planet.

The youth bulge in developing countries - 90 per cent of 10 to 24 year olds live in developing countries - coupled with demographic shifts across regions of the world, challenges in the education sector, and changing labor markets strongly intersect with and impact migration trends.

Many youths also choose or are forced to migrate to escape violence, conflict, or are displaced due the effects of war or climate change.

In the context of climate and environmental change, migration can either aggravate young people's challenges or boost their opportunities as an adaptation strategy, by opening new horizons, such as the chance to improve skills, access alternative livelihoods and job opportunities, or pursue education. Youth also migrate to take up active roles in civil society or youth-lead activism.

If provided with the opportunities to reach their potential, young migrants will help drive innovation, development, peace and security.

IOM is committed to let #YouthLead and have youth design the solutions to the challenges of today; and those of tomorrow.