Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Dear Colleagues and Partners
 
I am delighted to take the floor on behalf of UNDP.
 
I would like to thank the Permanent missions of El Salvador, Portugal, Rwanda, Slovakia and Sri Lanka as well as the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth for this invitation to commemorate the third anniversary of the ‘Youth2030’ Strategy.
 
I am pleased to report that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has actively contributed to its implementation, under each of all pillars.
 
Allow me to briefly focus on three areas:

Firstly, the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda: We have worked hand-in-hand with the Global coalition on youth, peace and security, the Peacebuilding Fund, bilateral donors and youth partners, to support the positive role young changemakers play in sustaining peace. We have also recently developed a new joint initiative with UNFPA to support young peacebuilders in Colombia.

Secondly, Climate Action: In the context of the Climate Promise, UNDP has worked with 120 countries to help governments enhance their climate ambition. To do so, in 80 of them -such as Argentina, Pakistan and North Macedonia- we have collaborated with young people -activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, political leaders, all eager to urgently solve the climate crisis.

Thirdly, our own young workforce: UNDP has established new young women fellowships; reformed long-term consultants’ contracts and internships; and developed a global roster of youth experts.
 
UNDP’s commitment has recently been confirmed in the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan which recognizes youth leadership and agency. Its results framework also includes dedicated youth indicators in line with Youth2030.
 
We welcome the focus that the Secretary-General has placed on youth and future generations in his “Our Common Agenda” Report. We very much look forward to supporting the ‘Summit of the Future’ in 2023.
 
Allow me to thank the governments of Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Mexico for their support the the UNDP Youth Global Programme for Sustainable Development and Peace, since 2016.

Only by joining forces with and for young people will we truly rejuvenate multilateralism, meet youth aspirations, and achieve development impact.
 
Thank you!