Theme: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”
Date: 12 August 2025
On this International Youth Day 2025, the Somali Congress of Trade Unions (SOCOTU) Youth Committee celebrates the transformative power, resilience, and creativity of youth. This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, reflects our shared conviction that empowering young people is key to achieving sustainable development, inclusive growth, and social justice in Somalia and across the African continent.
SOCOTU stands in solidarity with the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and supports its call to recognise youth as active agents of change not passive beneficiaries within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.
Youth as Agents of Change
In Somalia, as across Africa, young people are driving change in their communities whether through rural cooperatives advancing decent work and economic growth (SDG 
, or urban campaigns tackling climate action (SDG 13). They are not waiting for opportunities; they are creating them.
SOCOTU celebrates the Somali youth who are:
• Embracing innovation and technology to organise, mobilise, and advocate for workers’ rights.
• Championing gender justice, environmental protection, and social equity in workplaces and communities.
• Building inclusive networks and platforms to address local needs while aligning with broader SDG priorities.
Challenges Facing Young Workers
Despite these inspiring contributions, Somali youth face persistent barriers:
• High unemployment rates, particularly among young women, which limit economic independence and social participation.
• Limited access to resources and skills development, restricting their ability to compete in an evolving labour market.
• Weak institutional support for youth-led initiatives and inadequate recognition of young people’s leadership capacity.
SOCOTU’s Commitment
SOCOTU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to:
• Advocating for decent jobs, fair wages, and safe working conditions for young workers.
• Promoting continuous learning, including technical skills, digital literacy, and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.
• Strengthening youth organising within trade unions to ensure young voices shape policies and negotiations.
• Supporting mental and physical well-being as a foundation for productive and fulfilling work.
We echo OATUU’s message: organising young workers is not optional it is essential. Trade unions must remain a home for youth voices, offering platforms for collective bargaining, mentorship, and career development.
Continental Solidarity and Upcoming Opportunities
SOCOTU looks forward to actively participating in OATUU’s upcoming African Youth Trade Union Forum, which will bring together young trade union leaders and activists from across the continent. This gathering will strengthen youth leadership, share innovative strategies, and develop collective action plans aligned with the SDGs and the Decent Work Agenda.
Call to Action
On this International Youth Day, SOCOTU calls upon:
• Government to invest in youth empowerment through education, skills training, and job creation.
• Employers to provide decent work opportunities and respect workers’ rights.
• Civil society to partner with youth in building sustainable, inclusive communities.
To the youth of Somalia: you are the architects of change. Your energy, creativity, and determination can transform our nation. Stay united, stay focused, and let us work together for a Somalia where every young person can thrive, contribute, and lead.
Conclusion
The future of Somalia lies in the hands of its youth. With unity, perseverance, and solidarity, we can build a labour market that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable ensuring that no young person is left behind.
SOCOTU stands with you today and every day. Together, let us work toward a brighter future for Somalia and for Africa.
Happy International Youth Day 2025!
Somali Congress of Trade Unions (SOCOTU) Youth Committee
