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In a landmark move to elevate youth empowerment in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to advance youth development, inclusive participation, and gender equality. The signing ceremony took place at the National Sports Council, attended by key government and UN officials.
As part of this partnership, MoYS and UNFPA will work together to operationalise youth participatory mechanisms at national and district levels, ensuring that young people play meaningful roles in shaping policies and development strategies. A comprehensive database of youth-led organisations will also be created to improve coordination, visibility, and support for grassroots initiatives across the country.
The partnership will prioritise the review and revision of the National Youth Policy 2017, which mandates updates every five years. “National Youth Policy 2017 mandates a review every five years. As the first review was due in 2022, this is a timely opportunity to strengthen our commitment to youth development and inclusive participation,” stated Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam, Secretary of MoYS.
UNFPA Representative a.i., Mr. Masaki Watabe, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the Government in advancing its youth agenda. “This MoU supports policy reforms that empower young women and men, encourage their meaningful participation in education, the workforce, and civic life, and promote gender equality through youth leadership and inter-generational dialogues,” he said.
Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser to the MoYS, stressed the importance of preparing youth for future challenges. “By investing in our youth and providing them with a platform to contribute to policy-making, we can better prepare them for the future—including navigating the digital economy and tackling climate change through green skills and innovation,” he noted.
The collaboration will also generate data-driven resources such as youth and gender factsheets, supporting evidence-based advocacy and planning. These initiatives align with both the Sustainable Development Goals and Youth2030: The United Nations Youth Strategy, which positions youth as vital agents of change.
Both MoYS and UNFPA pledged to work closely to ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, aiming for inclusive, innovative, and impactful outcomes that unlock the full potential of Bangladesh’s youth.
