The fourth season of the “Youth Ambassadors” program has concluded following seven months of intensive workshops, dialogue sessions, and mentoring activities aimed at empowering young people and enhancing their engagement in sustainable development issues.
The initiative was organized with the support and funding of the British Embassy in Kuwait, in cooperation with the Canadian Embassy and the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator.
This year’s edition focused on the United Nations’ eleventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 11), which centers on building sustainable cities and communities. The program brought together 41 high school students aged between 14 and 18, who participated as youth ambassadors throughout the initiative.
Participants explored a wide range of topics related to urban sustainability, including urban planning, green infrastructure, waste management, climate change adaptation, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Speaking on behalf of Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations Ambassador Sadiq Marafi, Counselor Abdulmohsen Al-Mansour, Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations, stressed that investing in youth is essential to building a more sustainable and prosperous future.
He praised the strong partnership between Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the British and Canadian embassies, and the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, describing the collaboration as a successful model for supporting youth development and sustainability initiatives.
UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait and Chair of the Steering Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, Ghada Al-Taher, said the fourth season of the program served as an effective platform for raising awareness among young people about issues related to urban sustainability.
She noted that sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to include improving quality of life through education, housing, and access to comprehensive services.
Deputy Head of the British Mission Stuart Summers emphasized that young people remain central to addressing global challenges. He highlighted that the program offered participants valuable opportunities to engage with international experts and institutions while gaining practical experience in leadership and teamwork, local Arabic daily reports.
Canadian Ambassador H.E. Tara Scheurwater stated that the program was implemented amid complex regional and international circumstances, which added greater depth to the experience of participants.
She added that the initiative also helped strengthen communication and teamwork skills while promoting values of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect among participants.
