Over the past decades, the SADC-PF has been staunchly defending the interests of the youth and advocating for the progressive domestication of youth-related commitments contained in international and regional instruments such as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the African Youth Charter. The impetus of the Forum to promote youth protection and development is motivated by the high number of youth in the SADC region. Indeed, above 60% of the SADC population is under the age of 35, thus making the youth drivers for the future, including in industries that relate to food production and the promotion of food security.

During the Youth Indaba organised by the Forum in collaboration with partners and spearheaded by the SADC-PF Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and Youth Development, SADC MPs were vocal about the need to include the youth in parliamentary discussions particularly in fields that directly involve them such as public health, sexual and reproductive health rights, HIV/AIDS, Universal Health Coverage, agriculture, mining as well as research and innovation. This is in line with the Forum's Youth Development Policy Framework and the Tshwane Declaration on youth engagement.

On this day, the Forum reiterates its commitment to promoting youth inclusiveness in parliamentary work across the SADC region as a catalyst to accelerate youth innovation around the transformation of food systems. With COVID-19 disrupting global supply chains, the energy, ingenuity and zeal of the youth can indeed constitute a turning point to attaining sustainable food security and contributing to planetary health.

In this respect, the Forum and its Member Parliaments continue to pose as an ally for the youth of the SADC region and beyond.

Yours sincerely,

Ms B. Sekgoma, Secretary General,

SADC Parliamentary Forum 12 th August 2021

Statement from the Secretary General of the SADC PF on International Youth Day