Jan 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka cabinet has given its approval to host the United Nations World Youth Conference in 2014.

Acting on a proposal put forward by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma, the cabinet has given its approval to obtain official UN endorsement and to use other diplomatic missions abroad to implement the global process for this conference, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said Thursday.

He said Sri Lanka is seeking the support of China and the Group of 77 to adopt UN General Assembly resolution to host the Conference in 2014.

According to the Minister, the Ministry of Youth Affairs has taken the decision to host the event to encourage the participation and involvement of youth in achieving the internationally agreed development goals including the UN's Millennium Development Goals.

However, the Ministry needs an official mandate from the UN to involve UN secretariat and its agencies and to have an official UN endorsement and seeks the official support from the Group of 77 and China to adopt the resolution in the UN General Assembly.