Islamabad: A high-level meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office between UNESCO Pakistan and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), chaired by Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, to explore collaborative opportunities under UNESCO’s Country Cooperation Strategy 2026-2030. The discussions focused on aligning UNESCO’s development priorities with PMYP’s national youth initiatives.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting aimed to establish PMYP as UNESCO Pakistan’s strategic implementation partner by utilizing its extensive youth development network in education, skills development, and economic opportunities. Fuad Pashayev, Director of UNESCO, along with Ayesha Nisar, attended the meeting, highlighting the potential for UNESCO-recognized heritage sites in Pakistan and the importance of youth development as a core global priority.

Chairman Khan briefed the UNESCO delegation on PMYP’s initiatives, emphasizing the connection between education, skills, innovation, and employment opportunities for youth. Pashayev praised the Digital Youth Hub and emphasized the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in bridging educational and economic gaps.

The discussions covered a range of priority areas, including educational inclusion, digital literacy, STEAM education, and climate resilience. Both parties explored integrating UNESCO’s vocational standards into PMYP programs and establishing the Digital Youth Hub as a national platform for youth engagement. The meeting concluded with a mutual interest in formalizing cooperation to empower Pakistani youth through a structured collaboration framework.