Good afternoon and welcome.
I am pleased to see so many youth delegates in the room, and to hear that some youth delegates are coming to the event for the first time (such as Afghanistan).
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs serves as focal point for the UN’s work on youth. Through our Division for Inclusive Social Development, DESA facilitates Member State dialogue and drives policy development to address the vast challenges faced by today’s youth.
This work is crucial.
As you may know, last week the Secretary-General launched an ambitious Youth Strategy to engage with and empower young people. Key to this strategy is the recognition that youth are a tremendous source of innovation, ideas and solutions. The Strategy recognizes young people as catalysts for change, including in tackling important issues on the UN agenda.
If our aim is to work for a more inclusive and peaceful world – one where we can all co-exist and where the 2030 Agenda is fulfilled – young people need to be at the forefront.
I would like to provide you with a very brief overview of what we do in my Department and highlight some areas that may interest you.
DESA plays a central role in supporting Member States efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. DESA supports deliberations in the UN General Assembly, which you are attending, and the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies, like the Commission for Social Development, where a number of youth delegates also participate.
DESA’s role in facilitating inclusive participation in intergovernmental bodies is particularly important for the development pillar, where persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, older persons and youth have a critical voice.
DESA also supports the High-level Political Forum – the global platform for the follow up and review of the 2030 Agenda. I am pleased to hear that many of you are working with your governments to push for youth to play a greater role at the Forum, and in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level.
DESA spearheads work on data and analysis and works with Member States to build their own statistical capacity and develop policies. Our overall work in capacity building provides a vital connection between global and regional processes on one hand, and concrete impact at the country level, on the other.
DESA is also the lead author in the UN Secretariat for the development pillar. The analysis we provide in our publications and intergovernmental reports is key to Member States’ work. Our analytical products help Member States on a wide range of issues, ranging from deliberations on important resolutions, to strategic discussions on policy development.
DESA also facilitates partnerships with a range of stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society. We have recently launched the Partnerships for SDGs online platform, as part of the Partnership Data for SDGs (PD4SDGs) initiative. This platform serves as a global registry of voluntary commitments and multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of the Goals.
I invite you to look at the commitments made on the platform regarding youth, including in the area of decent jobs for youth.
As youth delegates, you provide a key connection between the United Nations and youth in your home countries.
I hope you take this opportunity to contribute to the policy discussions at the Third Committee and other deliberations that you are following. I encourage you to innovate and to learn.
And when you return to your home countries, I hope you will continue to work with your youth structures, governments, and other civil society organizations to implement the decisions made here at the global level. Turn them into meaningful action on the ground.
I am once again delighted to see your strong commitment as youth leaders and believe your work is a step towards great change.
Thank you.
I am pleased to see so many youth delegates in the room, and to hear that some youth delegates are coming to the event for the first time (such as Afghanistan).
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs serves as focal point for the UN’s work on youth. Through our Division for Inclusive Social Development, DESA facilitates Member State dialogue and drives policy development to address the vast challenges faced by today’s youth.
This work is crucial.
As you may know, last week the Secretary-General launched an ambitious Youth Strategy to engage with and empower young people. Key to this strategy is the recognition that youth are a tremendous source of innovation, ideas and solutions. The Strategy recognizes young people as catalysts for change, including in tackling important issues on the UN agenda.
If our aim is to work for a more inclusive and peaceful world – one where we can all co-exist and where the 2030 Agenda is fulfilled – young people need to be at the forefront.
I would like to provide you with a very brief overview of what we do in my Department and highlight some areas that may interest you.
DESA plays a central role in supporting Member States efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. DESA supports deliberations in the UN General Assembly, which you are attending, and the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies, like the Commission for Social Development, where a number of youth delegates also participate.
DESA’s role in facilitating inclusive participation in intergovernmental bodies is particularly important for the development pillar, where persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, older persons and youth have a critical voice.
DESA also supports the High-level Political Forum – the global platform for the follow up and review of the 2030 Agenda. I am pleased to hear that many of you are working with your governments to push for youth to play a greater role at the Forum, and in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level.
DESA spearheads work on data and analysis and works with Member States to build their own statistical capacity and develop policies. Our overall work in capacity building provides a vital connection between global and regional processes on one hand, and concrete impact at the country level, on the other.
DESA is also the lead author in the UN Secretariat for the development pillar. The analysis we provide in our publications and intergovernmental reports is key to Member States’ work. Our analytical products help Member States on a wide range of issues, ranging from deliberations on important resolutions, to strategic discussions on policy development.
DESA also facilitates partnerships with a range of stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society. We have recently launched the Partnerships for SDGs online platform, as part of the Partnership Data for SDGs (PD4SDGs) initiative. This platform serves as a global registry of voluntary commitments and multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of the Goals.
I invite you to look at the commitments made on the platform regarding youth, including in the area of decent jobs for youth.
As youth delegates, you provide a key connection between the United Nations and youth in your home countries.
I hope you take this opportunity to contribute to the policy discussions at the Third Committee and other deliberations that you are following. I encourage you to innovate and to learn.
And when you return to your home countries, I hope you will continue to work with your youth structures, governments, and other civil society organizations to implement the decisions made here at the global level. Turn them into meaningful action on the ground.
I am once again delighted to see your strong commitment as youth leaders and believe your work is a step towards great change.
Thank you.
File date:
Monday, تشرين الأول/أكتوبر 1, 2018