6 March 2002       

Statement in Support of the Youth for the Future Initiative
by the Honourable Fathulla Jameel,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives

         I commend the proposal by the High Level Review Group to create a "Youth for the Future" initiative and look forward to participating in this promising new programme.

         Human resources development, particularly of the youth, has been a priority area of our co-operation with the Commonwealth. We find that each of the four areas of activity of the proposed programme is of great importance to us and would therefore be seeking the services of Commonwealth Member States in all four fields.

         The Youth For the Future initiative would not only facilitate the realisation of the full potential of the youth in Commonwealth countries, but would also make an important contribution to national development and to the promotion of peace and friendship throughout the Commonwealth.

Fathulla Jameel