President Mutharika was speaking on Friday during the National Youth Conference at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe.

The Malawi leader said the youth have talents, capabilities and strengths which could play an important role in resolving some of the problems the nation is going through.

"Today, there are many challenges facing the youth. But sometimes, we are their challenge because we don’t recognize the talents, the capabilities, and the strengths in the youth. We, adults are often selfish. We are always waiting for the youth to grow up. Or even worse; we always look at youth as a pack of problems to be solved. Why can’t we look at them as solutions? Malawians, let us change our mindset!" said President Mutharika.

The President called on Malawians to believe in the youth saying it is only then that we can make poverty history in the country. He said this is why his Government is determined to invest in the youth so as to create employment and create wealth.

"We just need to give our youth the right skills and enable them to participate! History will tell you wherever you go that employment of creation through skills development is the only sustainable way of eradicating poverty. With direct investment and skills development, we can move Malawi from a Third World Country to a First World Country. Others have done it, and we can do it!" assured Mutharika.

At the conference, President Mutharika launched the National Youth Status Report which outlines many issues which are a reflection of the voice of the youth of Malawi.

The Malawi leader assured the conference that he is a listening President, and will make sure that the whole system must respond to these issues and also ensure that appropriate, timely and decisive action is taken.

In his remarks, President Mutharika advised the youth to embrace discipline and good morals.

"To the youth of Malawi, I urge you to be made of the right core values and Malawian character. If you are a Malawian, then you must be patriotic, you must have a high sense of integrity, and you must be hard working!" said Mutharika.

The National Youth Conference held under theme: Youth Development and Empowerment: Key to transforming Malawi now and beyond, has been organized by the Ministry of Labour, Youth and Manpower Development, the National Youth Council of Malawi, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the United Nations.