SARAJEVO, 14 November 2022 – Mayors and young people from 47 cities across Eastern Europe and Central Asia have gathered in Sarajevo to discuss ways to build youth-friendly cities in a region marked by rapid demographic change.

The two-day conference, organized by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in collaboration with the Mayor of Sarajevo and Associations of Municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, coincides with the world reaching 8 billion people on 15 November. 

 “Cities have a crucial role to play in creating environments in which young people can thrive and fulfill their potentials,” said Florence Bauer, UNFPA’s Regional Director Eastern Europe and Central Asia. “Truly youth-friendly cities care about young people’s well-being and opportunities, and thereby contribute to making societies better prepared to handle demographic change.”   

“Young people are a pillar of development for our city,” said Benjamina Karic, Mayor of Sarajevo. “With so many young people leaving the country, it is crucial for cities to create environments and opportunities to keep young people here.”

While the global population is expected to grow for decades to come, population growth has stalled or reversed in more and more countries, especially in Eastern Europe largely due to a combination of high emigration and low birth rates. At the same time, populations across the region are aging rapidly. 

Investing in opportunities for young people has emerged as a key strategy for countries to respond to demographic change. 

“When young people have access to quality services, employment and public participation, they are less likely to feel compelled to leave their countries and start a family abroad,” added Ms. Bauer.

A new initiative, Cities for Demographic Resilience, was launched by UNFPA at the conference today to support municipalities in their ability to adapt to demographic change and harness the opportunities that also come with it.

UNFPA supports governments through its Demographic Resilience Programme in developing comprehensive policies to address demographic change based on evidence and human rights. It works with governments, civil society and the private sector on a range of programmes, including expanding gender-responsive family policies, fostering a more equal distribution of care responsibilities between men and women, strengthening opportunities for young people, and building societies for all ages.

Note to the editors:
This event is part of the new United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) initiative - Cities for Demographic Resilience, jointly developed with UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia in partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina Associations of Municipalities. It focuses on advancing policies on inclusivity with cities at its core, where every young person’s potential is leveraged to support improvements in human capital, demographic resilience, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Media Interviews 

Journalists interested in interviewing UNFPA Regional Director Florence Bauer, or other participants, please contact:

Majda Prljaca: Tel: +38761171673; prljacal@unfpa.org
Jens-Hagen Eschenbaecher: eschenbaecher@unfpa.org