New York: Europe and the Arabs
"We are shaping our future. Youth participation must be inclusive, equitable, binding, and adequately resourced." With these words, young Moroccan Oumaima Makhlouk expressed her aspirations in her speech at the opening of the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Youth Forum. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received on Wednesday morning, the young Moroccan woman, who represented the "Children and Youth Major Group," said that the theme of this year's forum, "Youth at the Forefront: Harnessing Science and Social Inclusion for Sustainable Development," "is not a slogan. It is a message, a call to action."
The Children and Youth Major Group is a mechanism approved by the United Nations General Assembly, "a self-organizing body that empowers young people to participate meaningfully in specific United Nations processes." The group says it is "a bridge between young people and the United Nations system" to ensure their right to meaningful participation in various activities. Omaima Makhlouk began her speech by talking about her son Adam's birth, which was made possible by a cesarean section that saved her and her child's life. She added, "However, not all mothers have the same opportunity," sharing the story of Ola, a young mother in Gaza who gave birth under bombardment.
Makhlouk said, "Safe childbirth cannot be a privilege. It must be a right for all." She called for investing in the power of youth instead of war.
She proposed four steps in this regard, including continuing to strengthen the forum as a platform for youth action, creating a platform for youth-led projects, holding governments accountable, and holding more similar forums to drive change.
In conclusion, she said, "This forum is not just a gathering; it is a launching pad. What we do next will go down in history." A Renewed Promise
The Forum, which concludes on April 17, provides a platform for young people from around the world to engage with Member States and share their unique experiences, innovative ideas, and concrete solutions to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, while contributing to other key UN processes.
Philippe Boullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth, delivered a statement on behalf of the Secretary-General that the future for young people is currently highly uncertain, noting that institutions have failed on many fronts.
But he added: "Yet, you are here. You have not given up. You have chosen to be present. You have chosen to invest your time, your voice, and your energy in multilateralism. You have come to demand accountability. You have come to build solidarity."
He urged governments to fulfill the promises of the Charter for the Future, saying: "It is a renewed promise that the meaningful participation of youth will be at the heart of decision-making processes. We must not allow these commitments to fade into silence." "We can't wait for tomorrow."
This promise and the important role of youth were emphasized by ECOSOC President Bob Rae in his opening remarks at the forum. Addressing youth, he said, "You are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today. We can't wait for tomorrow."
Rae urged participants to address pressing global challenges, such as conflict, inequality, and climate change, adding that "the urgent need to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and just future for all has never been more evident."
Rae said that youth are on the front lines, using tools such as artificial intelligence to drive change.
However, he noted, "too many young people, particularly in low-income countries and marginalized communities, lack access to the technology and digital infrastructure that would help them unleash their full potential." Ray described the Sustainable Development Goals as an expression of shared human dignity, emphasizing the need to bridge digital divides and engage youth in decision-making.
Sustainable Benefits
The role of youth in change was also highlighted by UN General Assembly President Philomon Yang in his address to the forum, saying, "You, the world's 1.2 billion young people, are at the forefront of positive change."
He praised the role of youth in leading climate action, championing social inclusion, equality, and justice, and developing solutions to many of the challenges of our time.
He urged "equal access to digital tools for all," calling for investment in education, infrastructure, and employment opportunities to bridge the digital divide. He added, "Empowering our youth is an investment that delivers sustainable benefits across society."
The President of the General Assembly announced a high-level meeting in September to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. The forum includes thematic sessions on the Sustainable Development Goals under review at the 2025 High-Level Political Forum, including good health and well-being (Goal 3), gender equality (Goal 5), decent work and economic growth (Goal 8), life below water (Goal 14), and partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17).