UNITED NATIONS, November 4 (RIA Novosti) — UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday outlined a four-point plan aimed at achieving sustainable industrial development, which includes generating more jobs for young people.
“First, an economic transition… The agricultural sector can generate jobs in light manufacturing industries like food processing. Those industries can be labor intensive, leading to more jobs. More jobs and higher employment mean greater social inclusion. I understand that partners working in Ethiopia and Senegal have agreed here to provide support to farmers and food processors. This will mean better nutrition for people and nations that are more resilient to food crises,” Ban Ki-moon said during a forum of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna.
Ban's second point was “jobs for young people. The world now has the largest-ever number of young people in history. They are full of energy and ideas – but nearly 75 million young people face unemployment. Without hope for decent work, they are vulnerable to extremist ideologies, drugs and crime. But with the right opportunities, these young people can make great contributions for sustainable development. They can pioneer new industries that create even more jobs in the future."
Climate changes was Ban's third point.
“The climate challenge presents another opening for inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Smart governments and investors are exploring innovative green technologies that can protect the environment and achieve economic growth. For industrial development to be sustainable it must abandon old models that pollute. Instead, we need sustainable approaches that help communities preserve their resources,” UN Secretary General said.
Ban Ki-moon's fourth and last point was responsible business practices. He said that “companies have the power to foster social inclusion through their workforce policies. Industrial activities are often associated with pollution and difficult work conditions. But I believe that we can address those issues while making industry synonymous with dynamism, jobs and sustainability.”
“Let us advance inclusive and sustainable industrial development for its own sake – and as part of our broader campaign to protect our planet and all people in the future. It is our, and your, moral and political responsibility to work together, to make this world better for all, where nobody is left behind,” Ban Ki-moon concluded.
