Today, the world is embarking on a green transition. The shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world is critical not only for responding to the global climate crisis but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A successful transition towards a greener world will depend on the development of green skills in the population. Green skills are “knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society”.

These include technical knowledge and skills that enable the effective use of green technologies and processes in occupational settings, as well as transversal skills that draw on a range of knowledge, values and attitudes to facilitate environmentally sustainable decisions in work and in life. Due to their interdisciplinary nature, the essence of green skills is sometimes expressed, partly if not wholly, through other associated terms such as “skills for the future” and “skills for green jobs”. While green skills are relevant for people of all ages, they have heightened importance for younger people, who can contribute to the green transition for a longer period of time.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Message

Message from UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua

Official Commemoration

For the official commemoration of International Youth Day 2023, DESA organizes a global webinar in collaboration with the UN Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth at International Labour Organization and Generation Unlimited. The webinar offers critical information and data and will promote discussions and an exchange of ideas on green skills for youth. It features perspectives from international organizations, national governments and young experts working in this area. Knowledge products were developed to support and encourage stakeholders to celebrate International Youth Day 2023 in their various contexts and roles (see below).

International Youth Day 2023 Resources

• International Youth Day 2023 Infographic: 5 Things To Know About Green Skills For Youth.

• What Do We Know About Green Skills for Youth? 

For those interested in organizing activities to celebrate 2023 IYD, logos in all 6 UN languages, both with and without the United Nations name are available here.

As a gentle reminder, the logos with the UN name may only be used by UN Entities. Member States, youth organizations, and other non-UN entities need to use the IYD logos without the UN name.

Message from International Youth Day Partners

Empower youth for a sustainable future: On International Youth Day, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, says young people need to be equipped with skills for the green economy, so they can find decent jobs and make the world a better place for people and planet.