Happy International Youth Day to all young people and special greetings to the young people from Jamaica, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands - nation states served by the UNDP Multi Country Office in Jamaica. Today, we stand behind our youth partners from 11 youth organizations as they declare their intention to strengthen youth participation in national efforts to eliminate crime and violence. Their announcement of a Youth Summit on Crime and Violence, powered by UNDP, is timely and we are privileged to facilitate and nurture their well-meaning efforts. I believe they have much to contribute. Young people will showcase their work in citizen safety and security, pitch crime prevention solutions to make our nations safer and discuss how to strengthen youth participation.  Crime and Violence is a scourge to life, growth and liberty and needs the inputs of the future generation who stand at its epicenter. Agenda 2030 states, “The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today's younger generation who will pass the torch to future generations.” We must facilitate and nurture the creative energies of our young people to secure a viable future and to ensure fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. I urge you to register for the Summit and to sign up for the Development Challenge scheduled for World Peace Day, September 21 and September 22. Let’s give them our support, our respect and our time.