Commonwealth Youths Must Gain More Skills – Theresa May

Theresa May has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of Commonwealth countries to invest in young people so as to build a more prosperous future.

In her speech, she told Commonwealth leaders to step up efforts in reaching a series of shared commitments that will help to build a more sustainable, more prosperous and fairer future for all.

She also disclosed that the summit has pledged to ensure that all girls and boys across the Commonwealth will be able to access at least 12 years of quality education and learning by 2030.

Her statement read, “In building a more prosperous future, this is the first Commonwealth summit to make a unanimous statement on the need to fight protectionism.

“Our Declaration on the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment will help to expand investment and boost intra-Commonwealth trade to a value of $2 trillion by 2030.

“And we will play a leading role in shaping the future of global trade policy, using our unique perspective to help ensure that free and fair trade truly works for everyone.

“This includes stepping up efforts to share the technical expertise to enable small and developing states to benefit from the growth of free and fair trade.

“It means addressing systemic barriers to women’s full and equal participation in the economy – including increasing opportunities for women to trade internationally and supporting the growth of more women-owned business.

“And it means investing in supporting our young people to gain new skills.

“And at this Summit we have pledged to ensure that all girls and boys across the Commonwealth will be able to access at least 12 years of quality education and learning by 2030.”