Accessible Information Vital for Young People Building Their Futures, Secretary-General Says in Message to Arab Knowledge Summit

SG/SM/18333

5 December 2016

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Arab Knowledge Summit, in Dubai, today:

Your Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, Your Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen:

I am pleased to send my greetings to this Arab Knowledge Summit. I thank the people and Government of the United Arab Emirates and extend special thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The United Nations deeply appreciates all his work to advance science, creativity and sustainable development.

Access to information and knowledge is critical to prepare youth for the future. This is especially vital as young people claim their rights and seek opportunities for productive employment.

I thank you for joining forces at this important gathering to leverage knowledge and promote development across the region and around the world. Best wishes for a successful Summit.

Daily Noon Briefing

22 April 2024

A report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) states that explosive weapons were responsible for nearly half of the more than 47,500 children killed or maimed in more than 24 different conflict zones between 2018 and 2022. The vast majority of these instances occurred in populated areas.