– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
21 October 2020
Excellencies,
Distinguished youth delegates,
It is a pleasure to welcome you, albeit virtually, to the General Assembly.
I thank Ambassador Skoog and the Secretary-General¡¯s Envoy on Youth for convening today¡¯s informal debate. I also look forward to hearing from the Chair of the Third Committee, Ambassador Bogyay.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, everywhere. One group most hurt by the pandemic is undoubtedly the youth. I¡¯m not just talking about your inability to travel to New York this year, to address the Third Committee, and participate in discussions and side events.
But I think it is more than that. Life has become a different one and we are trying to adapt to new circumstances.
I¡¯m talking about education, community engagement and employment. Some of you may have lost loved ones who have succumbed to the effects of COVID-19. Perhaps you, like 90% of students around the world, are dealing with a disruption in your education. You may be feeling frustrated if you are seeking employment at this time.
However, I ask that you do not lose hope and become disillusioned. Do not allow this pandemic to derail your objectives for your term as Youth Delegates. Remember that 75 years ago, at a time of distrust and despair, visionaries gathered to create the United Nations. We will, once again, recover better. To do so, we need all hands on deck.
The General Assembly has adapted its working methods to ensure that we can continue to meet and deliberate on the most crucial issues of our time. I urge you to continue to follow our work on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ WebTV and engage with your Missions. Your insights are essential to the work of the United Nations.
We know that ¡®youth¡¯ is not a homogenous group. Your life experiences differ, and many of you have encountered and overcome different obstacles.?
Each of you brings a unique perspective to our work across the three pillars of the United Nations.
I ask that you do not lose hope and become disillusioned. Do not allow this pandemic to derail your objectives for your term as Youth Delegates. Remember that 75 years ago, at a time of distrust and despair, visionaries gathered to create the United Nations. We will, once again, recover better. To do so, we need all hands on deck.
Around the world you have raised your voices to promote human rights, and you have worked to ensure equal dignity and respect of each individual.
You are working to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups in society. You are fostering tolerance and intercultural understanding in your communities. Your engagement in re-building societal trust, social cohesion, and leading reconciliation efforts is essential to creating lasting peace.
You are inventing solutions to bridge the digital divide, and help us achieve the SDGs. Your activism and innovation have led policymakers to realise that not only will you inherit the problem of climate change in the future, but you have the capacity to shape the solution today. Here at the United Nations, this resulted in over 50 Member States signing the Kwon-Gesh pledge to involve youth in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
25 years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, no country has achieved gender equality. But you are working to make the world a more equal, just and safer place for everyone. You are breaking stereotypes and ending harmful practices against girls.
To the young men here today I ask that you create space for your female peers. It is your responsibility to check your privilege, to level the playing field and work together. A woman in power is not a threat. Diverse leadership benefits all of us.
To the young women joining us, I have no doubt that you will shatter glass ceilings.
There is an audacity of youth ¨C this is your superpower. Use it wisely.
Do not wait to be presented with a mandate. If you see a gap: fill it.
Ask people for advice.
Amplify the voices of the young people you represent and share your platform with them.
Listen to, and learn from, others.
Exercise good judgement. Uphold your principles. Be brave in the name of what is right.
Let your aspirations fuel your actions, for you are our inspiration.
This is your time. This is your General Assembly.
Together, we can create the United Nations we need for the future we want.
I look forward to seeing you in the future in person at these kinds of meetings. I wish you all the best.
I thank you.