Video Message
Today, on International Youth Day, we celebrate young people who are driving change in their communities and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
This year¡¯s theme ¡°Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond¡± reminds us that meaningful change starts in our local communities.
Over 65 per cent of SDG targets are linked to the policies and services delivered by local and regional governments. Empowering youth where they live is not just beneficial ¨C it is essential.
Young people possess an intimate understanding of their communities¡¯ needs and are uniquely equipped to design solutions that resonate.
By empowering young people, we unlock a powerful and effective force for sustainable development, shifting towards more inclusive and participatory processes, amplifying diverse voices, building trust, and delivering lasting solutions.
Young people are already leading the way -- tackling local challenges and demonstrating sustainable development in practice.
Young people are also actively engaged in key UN platforms to advance sustainable development. At the annual ECOSOC Youth Forum, the UN's largest intergovernmental gathering with young people, leaders from around the world share invaluable ground-level experiences and shape global policies.
At the Internet Governance Forum, youth voices have been instrumental in promoting an open and inclusive digital space, highlighting the role of digital technology in achieving sustainable development.
Young people also played a critical role at recent conferences supported by DESA, including the Third UN Ocean Conference and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, showing their impact across a wide range of sustainable development issues. We are looking forward to having impactful contributions in the process leading up to the Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in Doha later this year.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, we have a pivotal opportunity to deepen our commitment to ensuring young people are fully included as equal partners, particularly at the local level.
By championing young change-makers, let us build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.
Happy International Youth Day.