Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly
15 July 2022
Excellencies,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I’m delighted to join you in today’s celebration of World Youth Skills Day.
Young people are our world’s engines of change; they are the innovators and architects of our future.
Unfortunately, those engines are not running at capacity; they are deprived of the resources needed to reach their potential.
As it stands, millions of young people, especially those who are most vulnerable and marginalized such as young women and girls, continue to be negatively affected by social, political, economic, and cultural upheaval. This includes the COVID-19 pandemic and, of course, the continued impacts of climate change.
These challenges eliminate jobs and opportunities, reduce access to education, and impede the reskilling and upskilling of young women and men.
More must be done.
With global youth unemployment at an estimated 13.6 per cent, dialogues, such as the one today, are sorely needed.
My friends,
I am a proud champion of young people, and I am encouraged by the fact that the United Nations has always supported youth initiatives, youth empowerment, and the active engagement of young people.
United Nations frameworks, such as the system-wide Youth Strategy, Youth2030, help to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are part of the decision-making processes.
Similarly, General Assembly Resolution 69/145, adopted in 2014, recognizes “that fostering the acquisition of skills by youth would enhance their ability to make informed choices with regard to life and work and empower them to gain access to changing labour markets”.
For my part, I have been proud to launch the Fellowship for HOPE during my presidency of the UN General Assembly. Throughout this session, eight young diplomats from underrepresented countries have had the chance to learn firsthand the inner workings of the UN; to acquire direct skills in diplomacy and to thrive in a multilateral context.
They are the legacy I hope to leave.
Excellencies,
While we have a long way to go, I am encouraged by the broad consensus that exists towards youth empowerment across the UN and the multilateral sector.
Together, we recognize the need to empower young people, to transform and build skills for the future through policy making, education, technical and vocational training, and through access to technological advances.
Today, as you discuss progress made, and deliberate recommendations for the future, I ask that you do so with a view to strengthening our recovery from COVID-19, to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to fueling these vital engines of our world.
Let us explore how to increase youth employment opportunities while sustainably reducing the number of uneducated and untrained young people.
Let us act collectively to ensure an inclusive and brighter future led by skillful, educated, and well-trained youths, while leaving no one behind.
Excellencies, I wish you rich and fruitful discussions.
I thank you.
