Lesotho Explores Partnership with UNITAR to Strengthen Youth Employment and Economic Empowerment

A high-level meeting initiated by H.E Ambassador Tsiu Khathibe brought together key representatives from Lesotho and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to discuss potential areas of cooperation. The meeting included Ms Mihoko Kumamoto, Director of the Prosperity Division at UNITAR, and Mr Michael Adalla, Senior Programme Specialist within the Technology, Finance and Trade Programme Unit. The discussions focused on strengthening national strategies that address youth unemployment and improve economic opportunities for women and young people. It also highlighted Lesotho’s ongoing efforts to build stronger systems for resource mobilization and sustainable development financing. The engagement marked an important step in expanding international partnerships aimed at inclusive growth. It also reflected a shared interest in practical solutions for development challenges.

The meeting took place within the broader context of Lesotho’s national priorities on job creation and economic empowerment. Youth unemployment remains a critical challenge, and government stakeholders continue to explore innovative approaches to address it. The discussions emphasized the need for targeted skills development and improved access to opportunities for young people. Women empowerment was also identified as a key focus area, with attention given to increasing participation in economic activities. The engagement with UNITAR was seen as a way to strengthen existing national efforts through international expertise. It also provided a platform to explore scalable solutions that can be implemented across different sectors.

UNITAR presented a wide range of capacity building programmes designed to support member states in addressing development challenges. These programmes focus on practical skills development for youth employability, entrepreneurship, leadership, and inclusive economic participation. The institute also shared tools aimed at improving resource mobilization frameworks within governments and institutions. Special emphasis was placed on innovative financing approaches that support sustainable development goals. These initiatives are designed to help countries build stronger economic systems that are more responsive to local needs. The presentation highlighted how training and knowledge sharing can directly support national development strategies.

The relevance of these programmes to Lesotho’s priorities was a key point of discussion during the meeting. Participants noted that youth and women in Lesotho require more structured access to skills development opportunities. Strengthening institutional capacity was also identified as essential for addressing employment challenges effectively. The proposed collaboration with UNITAR was seen as a way to bridge gaps in training and technical expertise. It also offered an opportunity to introduce new tools that support long term economic planning. The discussions reinforced the importance of aligning international support with national development goals.

Both parties expressed strong interest in exploring further avenues of cooperation following the initial engagement. Lesotho highlighted the importance of targeted training programmes that can directly benefit young people and women. UNITAR indicated its readiness to support capacity building initiatives tailored to the country’s specific needs. The potential partnership could include training workshops, leadership development programmes, and support for innovative financing systems. These efforts aim to create sustainable pathways for economic participation and job creation. The collaboration is expected to contribute to long term improvements in national development outcomes.

The meeting between Lesotho and UNITAR represents a meaningful step toward strengthening international cooperation in addressing youth unemployment and economic empowerment challenges. The engagement provided a platform for sharing practical solutions and exploring capacity building opportunities. It also highlighted the importance of aligning global expertise with national development priorities. Through potential collaboration, Lesotho stands to benefit from enhanced training, improved resource mobilization strategies, and stronger institutional capacity. The focus on youth and women empowerment underscores a commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development. Continued dialogue between the two sides is expected to pave the way for impactful programmes that support long term economic transformation.