09/08/1998

Mr. Chairman
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, I would like to express -high appreciation to the Goverm-nent of Portugal for taking this great initiative in hosting and convening this Conference in cooperation with the United Nations. The exquisite preparations and warm hospitality of the organizers attest to the rich history and high standing of this great fiiendly Country and its people and merit our gratitude and esteem.

This Conference, the first ever of its nature and scope, is the culmination of three years of careful deliberations. In fact the adoption by the UN General Assembly in 14 December, 1995 of the World Program of Action for Youth to the year 2000 and beyond was a major landmark in putting in special focus issues related to a generation which will be in a position of power and authority at the onset of the third millennium. The tone of this Conference was set in previous UN sponsored International Conferences over the past six year. I note here with special pride that the ICPD held in Cairo in 1995 devoted a full part in its Program of Action to issues related to the enhancement of measures to meet the needs and aspiration of youth, particularly in the areas of formal and non-formal education, training, employment opportunities, housing and health thereby ensuring their integration and participation in all spheres of society. It is in this spirit that Egypt, as current chairman of the Arab Executive Council of Ministers of Youth and Sport, has fully lent its support for the Lisbon Conference and the historic Declaration under consideration.

Egypt, as the largest Arab Country rich in history steeped in a profound cultural heritage, has over one million and a half young people in Universities and high institutes of leaming with the addition of over one thousand schools a year. Youth training, education, employment, participation, social welfare, and integration are second to none in our interest and pre-occ4pation. Our special successful experience in the establishment of the Social Fund to help our young people in training and Job creation is a case in point.

Egypt is also an integral part of its Arab African arenas. As such we are well aware of the challenge of peace and development in our area and beyond. The long suffering of the Palestinian and Arab Youth under Israeli occupation since 1967 underscores the need for a speedy resolution of this problem on the basis of the Oslo accord, Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of land for peace set out in the Madrid Conference of 199 1. This, together with our call for a nuclear free zone in the Middle East, will spare future generations the bitter legacy of strife. It is in view of this that we call upon Israel to honor its obligations, to desist from its repressive policies and practices and to join hands with us in good faith to build the edifice of a just peace for future generations.

The suffering Of millions of young people in neighboring brotherly countries under UN sanctions in Iraq, Libya, and Sudan is confirmed by UN reports. This points to the need for a review of the sanctions regime to spare innocent civilians unnecessary hardships. The plight of millions of young people in Africa, the Balkans victims of civil strife, ethnic cleansing, natural and man- made disasters should not go unnoticed in such an assembly on youth welfare.

Mr. Chairman,

We believe in the need for an integrated approach to problems facing our young people in which the UN system, donor countries, and N.G.O.'s play a pivotal role. The socio-economic perspective is of the utmost importance. Of equal importance is the need to spare younger generations the scourge of alienation feeding on extremism and violence.

I wish in conclusion, Mr. Chairman, to reiterate our full support for the lofty goals of this Conference. I pledge to work with you and other distinguished delegates for a successful conclusion of this historic meeting and for an effective follow-up of its results at the national, regional, and international levels. It is only in this way that we all can rise to meet the expectations of hundreds of millions of young people all over the world.