Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia marked International Youth Day (IYD) on Tuesday, August 12, with renewed calls to harness the potential of its young population, who make up nearly three-quarters of the nation’s 17 million people.
The global observance, held annually, aims to spotlight the challenges, opportunities, and future prospects facing youth worldwide. In Somalia, the day took on particular significance given the country’s demographics and the pivotal role young people play in rebuilding communities after decades of conflict and instability.
The United Nations commended Somali youth for their resilience, innovation, and active role in peacebuilding and development.
“Somali youth are the backbone of the country’s recovery,” the UN said in a statement, noting that many young people are leading initiatives in education, technology, entrepreneurship, and climate action.
Youth-led organizations in Mogadishu, Garowe, Baidoa, and Hargeisa hosted forums, cultural performances, and community clean-up drives to mark the occasion. Many events focused on employment creation, skills training, and civic engagement—key priorities for a generation determined to break cycles of poverty and violence.
Despite the optimism, young Somalis continue to face significant challenges, including high unemployment rates, limited access to quality education, and the threat of recruitment by extremist groups. Government officials and civil society leaders stressed the need for targeted policies to expand economic opportunities, promote inclusion, and safeguard youth from exploitation.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Barre called for collaborative action.
“Our youth are our greatest resource. We must invest in them not only with words but with tangible opportunities that allow them to shape Somalia’s future,” the minister said.
International Youth Day 2025 closed with a shared message from both local and international partners—empowering Somalia’s youth is not just a moral duty but an economic and social imperative for lasting stability.