The United Nations launched International Youth Day in 1998 to elevate youth issues within the international community and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in our global society. Today, we know that youth issues are everyone’s issues – access to education, economic opportunity, food security, a healthy environment, good governance, and freedom from all forms of tyranny and violence – and that youth are leaders and critical partners in tackling these issues.
The international community has made significant progress in recognizing the essential role youth play as active contributors to the design of a more just and peaceful future. In 2015, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda, which affirmed that the meaningful and diverse participation of youth in peace processes is both a moral requirement and a security imperative. Furthermore, UN Member States have recognized the importance of youth through the ongoing Summit of the Future process.
This year features a historic number of elections globally. As President Biden said, strengthening transparent, accountable governance rooted in the consent of the governed is a fundamental imperative of our time. When youth have platforms to meaningfully participate in their societies, they can contribute fully and equally to the creation of a future that reflects their aspirations. We look forward to supporting and uplifting the inspiring work of youth around the world.