UNCTAD has launched a second phase of its online platform to bring the organization's mandate closer to young people and provide them with a tool where they will be able to find opportunities for dialogue, sharing of best practices, ideas and knowledge for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"We cannot speak of inclusive prosperity and agenda 2030 without the young people. It is critically important to let the youth "owners of Agenda 2030" drive and define the Agenda", said UNCTAD's Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi.
The UNCTAD Youth Network digital platform was created by the youth and for the youth, as a response to their request made during the UNCTAD14 Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, themed "From Decisions to Actions"; where 250 students and young professionals from all parts of the world between 18 and 30 years old were selected out of 3000 applications to participate in the first ever UNCTAD Youth Forum "Shaping the world we want" and delivered the 1st UNCTAD youth declaration in support of the 2030 Agenda.
Young people expressed their views and concerns about education, youth employment, and requested UNCTAD and Member States to include them in all Agenda 2030 related discussions.
"There is an expectation of value change, thinking about long term sustainability, inclusivity and impact. These issues have to be inculcated into the education systems, into the social interaction media and the best people to do that are youth. We cannot have aspirations for the society without the presence of youth," added Dr. Kituyi stressing that the conversation between generations is very important to the success of the 2030 Agenda implementation.
The full engagement of young people in society relies on the active engagement and commitment of all stakeholders in order to boost the full potential of youth in implementing innovative global solutions in a fast-paced technological, social and political environment.
UNCTAD wants to change the "narrative/landscape" and allow young people to be part of solution building to the many challenges the world faces, particularly in the economic and employment area.
"We must build on the work that has been done with the support of Member States, the youth Envoy and civil society. But this cannot be an initiative by old people discussing their participation in society and their access to education, training and jobs", said the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, at the Swearing-in Ceremony in New York.
UNCTAD is therefore committed to continue working closely with other stakeholders within the United Nations, governments, private sector and civil society groups to ensure the inclusive and successful implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development where youth should be a crosscutting focus in all our efforts.
