The European Union (EU) says it is building partnerships between young Africans, especially Nigerians and their European counterparts because young people will remain critical in addressing current global challenges, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This was made known by the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen at the National Youth Conference organised by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports in Abuja.

Urpilainen said youths were not only the future but also constitute the largest generation of young people in history.

She added that EU delegations across Africa were mandated to establish a Youth Sounding Board to ensure that youths were mainstreamed into their decision-making processes to reflect diversity and inclusivity.

The EU Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria was launched in Abuja in September to help Nigerian youths to share their voices and participate in shaping policies and programmes.

In specific terms, The Youth Sounding Board is a space for young people to have an influence on the EU’s external action through its international partnerships.

The board will help make EU action more participatory, relevant and effective for young people in Nigeria across all political priorities.