World Habitat Day 2024: MoHUA Focuses on Youth Engagement for a Sustainable Urban Future

New Delhi: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) celebrated World Habitat Day 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, under the theme “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future.” The event emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping sustainable and inclusive cities, aligning with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State, MoHUA, presided over the event, stressing the importance of youth in addressing the challenges of urbanization. “The youth of India, with an average age below 35, are a crucial and somewhat missing piece of the urban puzzle. Their active involvement is imperative for the success of any scheme or policy, and essential to achieving the Government’s vision for a developed India,” he said.

The theme, “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future”, focuses on involving young people in urban planning, decision-making, and leadership roles. This aims to foster more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. Sahu also extended his best wishes to children, their teachers, and parents, expressing hope for a brighter future for the nation’s youth.

Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA, highlighted India’s “youth bulge” as a demographic advantage. “With proper guidance and support, our youth can become critical thinkers, change-makers, and leaders who will drive India’s growth. Their digital proficiency, innovative mindset, and entrepreneurial spirit are key to reshaping our urban centers,” he stated. He also emphasized government initiatives like PMAY-U, DAY-NULM, and AMRUT 2.0, which aim to engage young people in creating better urban futures.

The Additional Secretary (Housing), Satinder Pal Singh, welcomed dignitaries and emphasized the importance of nurturing youth skills for sustainable urban development. “Unlocking the potential of young people is essential for economic growth and creating sustainable cities,” he said.

In alignment with the government’s commitment to youth empowerment, the Union Budget 2024-25 introduced initiatives to boost education, skill development, and innovation. The government aims to provide internship opportunities to 1 crore youth in the next five years and allocated ₹2 lakh crore to create employment and skilling opportunities for 4.1 crore youth.

Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India, delivered the United Nations Secretary-General’s message, while Parul Agarwala, Country Programme Manager, shared the message of the UN Habitat Executive Director. They emphasized the demographic shift, noting that by 2030, 60 percent of urban residents will be under the age of 18. This shift presents an opportunity to harness the energy of youth to address urban challenges and create sustainable solutions.