Dhaka, Feb 26 (IANS): Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza wants to spend his time outside his professional commitments for the development of youth after he was recently unveiled as the United Nationals Development Programe's (UNDP) goodwill ambassador.

"I believe we need to do more to help our youths to shine. I consider this appointment as a commitment to the people of Bangladesh to work for our young people. The youths of Bangladesh have huge talent and potential that we need to leverage," Bangladesh's limited overs skipper said, reports bdnews24.com.

The fast bowler is the first goodwill ambassador to be appointed by UNDP for youth development in Bangladesh. The UNDP says he will work "closely" with them "to advocate for youth employment in Bangladesh towards the country's efforts in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals".

UNDP Bangladesh resident representative Robert Watkins presented Mortaza with a certificate of his official appointment.

"We hope that as the UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Mortaza will support us in bringing youth to the forefront of Bangladesh development efforts. As a national inspiration and international sports champion, Mortaza will be a powerful force and an inspiring voice for UNDP initiatives," Watkins said.

UNDP believes that youths are not being fully engaged in the development process in Bangladesh. Only 17 percent of employed youths in Bangladesh are in regular paid employment.

The UN appoints prominent individuals from the worlds of arts, sciences, literature, entertainment, sport or other fields of public life as goodwill ambassadors to promote and realise the ideals enshrined in its Charter.