Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly
25 July 2022
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Excellencies,
Members of the NAM Youth Network,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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Thank you for inviting me to speak at this Non-Aligned Movement Youth Summit.
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I commend the Government of Azerbaijan for organizing today¡¯s event, and for its steadfast leadership and focus on youth and youth issues.
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Today¡¯s event could not be more opportune.
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Young people number nearly 2 billion around the world, making up the largest generation of young people in history.
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Of this, almost 90% reside in developing countries, where the Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement constitute absolute majority.
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And yet, young people, especially the vulnerable and marginalized, continue to be disproportionately impacted by global challenges, from COVID to climate.
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Despite this, time and again it is the youth that have risen above these challenges – reminding us of their resilience; resilience which they carry forward to their countries and communities.
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We have seen this in how they have helped to rebuild their lives and those around them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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We see this now, as young people around the world push for social, environmental and economic change and transformation.
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Excellencies, dear friends,
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In a post-pandemic world, we must ensure the inclusion and participation of youth in building back better and stronger.
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This starts with us.
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Institutions like the United Nations and bodies like the Non-Aligned Movement represent the strength of multilateralism and international cooperation.
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As challenges become more interlinked and borderless, it is during these times that inclusivity and diversity in our work becomes even more necessary.
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On that note, I commend NAM for its Youth Network, which provides the necessary platform for youth development through model simulation exercises and intercultural exchange events.
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I am pleased that this is well enshrined in the United Nations as well.
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Development frameworks, such as the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, recognize the essential role of youth participation. And the Secretary-General has strongly pointed to youth empowerment in his ¡®Our Common Agenda¡¯ report, which positions the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ for the future.
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For my part, I am very proud to have launched and successfully implemented my HOPE Fellowship programme.
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For the last 7 months, eight young diplomats from underrepresented countries have worked on rotational basis to become acquainted with the work of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.
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It is my hope that they leave the United Nations as champions and advocates for multilateralism.
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To further advance the role of youth in multilateralism, I will be launching the ¡°Voices of Youth – Time Capsule¡±, which seeks to provide an additional opportunity to bring youth voices into our work at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and showcase their hopes and aspirations for the future they want.
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I invite you all to join me on this initiative.
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My friends,
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As President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, I have had the opportunity to engage with young people on every topic that we have discussed at the multilateral level, both at the General Assembly and during my travels abroad.
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From COP26 in Glasgow to the Ocean Conference; from Kenya to Dominican Republic, I have met with and heard from youth on every topic of relevance in today¡¯s world.
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I have learned a great deal, but my main takeaway is this: they want and need to be part of the process.
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It is of the utmost importance that young people are given ownership and belonging in decision-making processes.
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Let us continue to work together to strengthen platforms and provide measures that will ensure we provide them with that ownership and belonging; that we lay stronger groundwork for an inclusive, relevant, and sustainable future for all.
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With those few words, I wish you a productive dialogue.
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I thank you