Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired the seventh meeting of the fourth-term Human Resources Planning Commission, with members acknowledging that the youth unemployment situation warrants attention.

The meeting heard that rising unemployment and the youth employment situation are structural challenges faced by most advanced economies worldwide, Hong Kong being no exception.

Members took note that the Government continues to invest heavily in education and skills training for the local workforce. This includes launching a two-year 30,000 Youth Employment & Internship Programme, as announced in the Policy Address, to facilitate youth employment and development. 

The Labour Department will also launch the Youth Employment Link online service portal to facilitate young people's access to employment information and support services. Looking ahead, the continued expansion of the local economy is expected to underpin overall labour market conditions.

The Labour & Welfare Bureau also briefed the meeting on the "Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection" report. Members heard that the Government will continue to promote "AI for All" and support lifelong learning, ensuring that skills in the labour force remain aligned with Hong Kong's future economy.

The bureau will commence a new review of the Talent List soon.

Members said they supported the Government in continuing to closely monitor the labour market and in formulating and refining forward-looking policies on a rolling basis, with a view to maintaining manpower supply in support of economic development, whilst also safeguarding employment priority for local workers.