In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation by the World Conference of Ministers of Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day (A/RES/54/120). Over the last two decades of International Youth Day (IYD) celebrations, several innovative and timely themes have been explored, including mental health, intergenerational solidarity, safe spaces for youth, and civic engagement.

Today, the world is embarking on a green transition. The shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world is critical not only for responding to the global climate crisis but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A successful transition towards a greener world will depend on the development of green skills in the population. Green skills are “knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society”. These include technical knowledge and skills that enable the effective use of green technologies and processes in occupational settings, as well as transversal skills that draw on a range of knowledge, values, and attitudes to facilitate environmentally sustainable decisions in work and in life.

Due to their interdisciplinary nature, the essence of green skills is sometimes expressed, partly if not wholly, through other associated terms such as “skills for the future” and “skills for green jobs”. While green skills are relevant for people of all ages, they have heightened importance for younger people, who can contribute to the green transition for a longer period of time.

In response to the 2023 International Youth Day's theme of "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World," Fish for Livelihoods, USAID-funded activity, commemorated the IYD as a half-day event with 30 young people aged between 15 to 24 years in Young Moon Village, Mongywang Township.

Half-day training sessions will cover "Brief Introduction of SDG Goals, Leadership, Gender Equality & Inclusion" and "Collecting Quotes of their Future Dreams on how they Want to Implement their Future in Green Transaction." The IYD celebration aims to enhance youth knowledge and abilities, so they are able to adapt their lives to green transactions. Furthermore, it is firmly believed that quotes made by young people would help them reach out to and connect with other international communities since young people have the power to change the world and influence its future.