HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MIROSLAV LAJČÁK

INVESTING IN YOUNG PEOPLE HELPS OUR PLANET, PRESIDENT TELLS YOUTH FORUM

• The President delivered remarks this morning at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum. He made three main points.
• First, on the environment, he said that, to reverse the trends that are harming our planet, we need young people. He shared examples of innovations by youth that are helping the environment – and added that investment in youth is not just an altruistic act; it is an investment in all of our futures.
• For his second point, the President said, if we neglect young people, we will not achieve a single Sustainable Development Goal. Related to that, we need a renewed focus on youth unemployment.
• Third, the President highlighted the role of youth in preventing conflict and building peace. He said he would ensure that young people participate actively in the high-level meeting on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, which he will convene this April.