RIYADH: Authorities in Bahrain are working to instill in the nation’s youth the values and principles of leadership and ambition, while supporting and empowering them to fulfill their full potential, according to Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the king’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs.

Speaking ahead of annual International Youth Day on Aug. 12, which this year has the theme “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World,” Sheikh Nasser said his country is keen in particular to ensure young people to play a leading role in national initiatives to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Bahrain News Agency reported on Friday.

“Youth have the necessary potential and are the main engine for achieving sustainable development,” he said. “We have great confidence in their ability to share their ideas and initiatives with their international counterparts on ways to achieve SDGs and build a developed world based on a green economy.”

He added: “We have been keen to secure a positive environment that supports Bahraini youth in all fields, improve programs, initiatives and innovations related to capacity and skills development, support entrepreneurs and their projects based on the green foundations of the Bahraini economy, and enhance the role of youth because of their capabilities to find innovative and sustainable solutions that can contribute to advancing the green-growth process to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development.”