18 \ Global Youth Development Index and Report 2016 Continuing with the idea of partnership, data and data tools such as the YDI produced by the Commonwealth can play a vital role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY). The YDI can help in implementation owing to its ability to help policymakers analyse areas of current situations and trends. In addition, the YDI can help by following the progress of some of the SDGs targets, such as those regarding youth employment, and the progress of WPAY. There are similarities between certain areas of the SDGs, the YDI, and the priority areas of the WPAY. For instance, the YDI aims to provide insight on the extent of gender equality among young people, and SDG goal 5 aims to empower all women and girls. Like the SDGs and YDI, the WPAY priority area on women and girls addresses the need to promote equal opportunities for women and girls in all areas of life. Similarities also exist between SDG goal 4, particularly target 4.6, which seeks to ensure that by 2030 all youth and adults reach a proficiency level in literacy and numeracy sufficient to participate in society fully, and YDI, which contains an indicator that measures the literacy rates among all youth. The WPAY priority area on education also stresses the need to improve the level of basic education, skill training and literacy among youth. Another overlap is apparent between SDG target 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases and other communicable diseases by 2030, and YDI indicators that measure HIV prevalence among pregnant women from age 15 to 24. The WPAY priority area on health focuses on issues such as reducing HIV/AIDS rates and the prevention of diseases and illness among youth. In essence, data and data tools such as the YDI can work as an informative tool and evidence base for the implementation of the SDGs and the WPAY. This is an exciting and changing time in the world. We have all been called to action to implement the new Agenda, with the cost of inaction greater than the cost of action. Let us make sure that no one is left behind and the voices of youth remain an active part of the process of implementing the 2030 Agenda for years to come. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this guest contribution are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. Table 1.3  SDG targets most relevant to young people The table rows shaded in green are the SDG targets that directly mention youth, young men and women and adolescents. The remaining table rows are SDG targets that have indicators pertaining to different age groups, which include young people. SDG 1 SDG 2 End poverty in all its forms everywhere 1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day 1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions 1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 2.2 SDG 3 By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births 3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases

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