Focused discussion on identifying ways and means of more meaningful engagement of youth in the work of the General Assembly

(Follow-up to the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Our Common Agenda”)

30 August 2022

Ms Jayathma Wickramanayake, SGs Envoy on Youth,

Distinguished delegates,

Young activists,

Ladies, and Gentlemen,

It may come as no surprise to you that as we recover from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, reforming the UN’s main bodies, which is long pending, has become more necessary than ever.

That is why I made revitalizing the United Nations, and the General Assembly , one of the five rays of hope of my presidency.

I commend Member States for their commitment to centering youth and enhancing the meaningfulengagement of young people in multilateral processes, as stated in the Declaration on the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations.

In addition, much of the ground covered in theSecretary-General’s ‘Our Common Agenda’ report addresses the critical need for reforms and changes, particularly regarding the inclusion of youth in the work and processes of the United Nations.

Paragraph 47 of the OCA report recommendsstrengthening the bond with young people within the United Nations. It announces that the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth will prepare recommendations on more meaningful and diverse effective youth engagement within the United Nations, for the consideration of the General Assembly and other main UN bodies.

Furthermore, during the thematic consultations on Our Common Agenda that were held from February to March months this year, no objections were raised tothe proposal on exploring ways of enhancing youth participation in UN processes. This is reflected in the summaries of those thematic consultations that I circulated on 20 May 2022.

Friends,

Ensuring the meaningful participation and engagement of youth in multilateralism is also among my priorities as President of the General Assembly. I have workeddiligently to place youth at the center of my work.

Indeed, one of the markers of my Presidency was thelaunch and successful implementation of the PGA’s first Hope Fellowship Program.

Eight young diplomats from underrepresented countries today work in my team at the UN Headquarters as well as in their respective missions.

I trust that this initiative’s success will inspire future General Assembly Presidents to maintain the practice of fellowship programs and to institutionalize it even further.

The idea for an International Day for Women in Diplomacy was also an outcome of my morning dialogue with young women diplomats at the UN.

Furthermore, my interactions with youth as PGA were not limited to our Headquarters.

During each of my working trips, I proactivelyconducted interactive discussions with youth representatives in multiple countries. Without exception I found them eager to involve themselves in global affairs and to make a difference. We owe it to them to facilitate these aspirations.  

Excellencies,

I hope this afternoon produces fruitful discussionswhich will lead to implementable solutions or recommendations to be put forward for Member States’ consideration ahead of the Summit of the Future.

I am grateful to Member States for their pledging to address this issue in our institution’s functioning.

I am also grateful to the SG’s Youth Envoy and her team for their support during the preparations for today’s event.

I thank you.