The global celebration marking the 10th Anniversary of the World Youth Skills Day and the 5th Anniversary of the Global Skills Academy organized by UNESCO and partners took place on 15 July 2025 at the Learning Planet Institute in Paris under the theme “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills”. The event brought together youth leaders, UN officials, policymakers, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) stakeholders to reflect on the transformative potential of digital and AI-related skills in fostering inclusive and resilient societies.
Sri Lanka’s pioneering contribution to the establishment of the World Youth Skills Day was prominently acknowledged during the event. In 2014, Sri Lanka spearheaded the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/145 proclaiming 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, following the landmark World Conference on Youth held in Colombo the same year. Since then, Sri Lanka has remained at the forefront of this global observance, co-hosting commemorative events with Portugal at the United Nations in New York; and at UNESCO, ILO, and the UN Youth Office, including the 2025 celebrations held simultaneously in Paris and New York.
Delivering keynote remarks during the opening segment, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to UNESCO Manisha Gunasekera highlighted the urgency of equipping youth with future-ready digital and AI competencies to navigate a rapidly transforming global economy. She outlined Sri Lanka’s ambitious National AI Strategy, currently under development which aims to advance inclusive, ethical, and human-centred digital transformation. She further emphasized Sri Lanka’s commitment to expanding AI literacy and ethical digital education in line with the country’s National Digital Strategy 2030 and UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
In her address, the Ambassador called for enhanced international cooperation in three key areas: ensuring equitable access to digital infrastructure, reforming education systems to prepare youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and empowering youth as co-creators of the digital future. She reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s steadfast partnership with UNESCO, the Global Skills Academy, and international stakeholders in building a future that is youth-led, digitally inclusive and socially just.
The opening segment also featured a message from the UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered by a youth representative, alongside keynote remarks by the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, and the Director of the Learning Planet Institute François Taddei. The event also included interventions by the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Côte d'Ivoire to UNESCO Ramata Bakayoko-Ly and the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Kenya to UNESCO Peter K. Ngure. The day-long event comprised interactive panels, youth-led dialogues and breakout sessions, highlighting the critical role of digital skills in shaping the future of education, work and social inclusion.
Embassy of Sri Lanka &
Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO
Paris
24 July 2025
