Siddharth Chatterjee：Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future
February 07 , 2025
H.E.Siddharth Chatterjee
THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN CHINA
Video Speech (5 MINS) at the GYLD Annual Forum 2024
December 5, 2024, Beijing
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Greetings,
I thank the Center for China and Globalization(CCG) and the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies(ACCWS) for the invitation to speak at this event.
I am sorry I have to join this event remotely.
Today, the world is home to the largest generation of young people in history, with 1.8 billion individuals aged between 10 to 24, nearly 90% of whom reside in developing countries. This generation holds immense potential and continues to demonstrate their power as agents of positive change. However, their participation in decision-making processes remains limited. Only 2.6% of parliamentarians worldwide are under the age of 30, with young women even further underrepresented. This gap underscores the urgent need for global standards that foster meaningful youth engagement, with stronger consultative bodies, increased funding, and legislative frameworks.
In August 2024, the World Youth Development Forum, co-hosted by the UN in China and the All-China Youth Federation, was held in Beijing. It brought together over 2,000 youth participants from over 130 countries to debate how youth can contribute to sustainable development. This event served as a critical springboard for the Summit of the Future in New York.
The Summit was a pivotal milestone in addressing gaps in global governance and reaffirming commitments to sustainable development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At its heart was the Pact for the Future, a visionary blueprint charting a path forward on key global challenges.
The Pact outlined four concrete actions to advance the rights and roles of youth. It called for investing in their social and economic development, safeguarding their human rights, amplifying their voices in national and international decision-making, and finally ensuring their meaningful representation in governance. These commitments recognize young people not as passive beneficiaries but as dynamic leaders and partners in shaping a brighter, and more inclusive future.
The UN has long valued the vital role of young people in shaping the world’s future. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “You can count on the UN Youth Office and the entire UN family to stand with and for young people.”
Young people are the torchbearers for the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. They have been instrumental in championing social justice, advancing gender equality, and driving change. Their innovative spirit and long-term vision are critical for overcoming complex global challenges.
For the UN in China, advancing youth development and engagement is not just a priority—it is a necessity. Through the UN Theme Group on Youth, we strive to ensure that our efforts are coordinated, comprehensive, and impactful. This means creating a dynamic platform where young people can voice their concerns and share bold ideas.
Dear Friends,
In a world shaped by rapid technological progress, young people are natural innovators and have witnessed and shaped the advancement of artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital platforms. They are not just technology users; they are architects, reimagining their role in solving the urgent challenges of our time.
To the youth leaders here today, you are uniquely positioned to shape our future.
Vitality is your strength, paired with your responsibility in advocating for equitable access to technology, promoting critical thinking, and fostering respectful cross-cultural dialogue. Your fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are essential, whether in climate action, digital transformation, or advancing social progress.
I encourage you to seize these opportunities with courage and with purpose. Engage boldly, share your insights, and collaborate to create meaningful change. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow—you are the changemakers of today. We look to you, today’s youth, to guide our world toward a future that we aspire.
With hope, resilience, and determination, let your actions illuminate the path towards a brighter, more sustainable, and equitable world for all.
Thank you.
Note: The above text is the output of transcribing from an audio recording. It is posted as a reference for the discussion.
