BAMRO

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum provides a platform for young people to have a dialogue with diplomats on challenges affecting their well-being.

Discussions are centred around five of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – ending poverty; zero hunger; climate action; peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships to make the goals reality.

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Hope for better
These issues will be reviewed at ECOSOC’s High-Level Political Forum in July, the chamber’s president, Paula Narváez, said in her opening remarks.

Speaking in Spanish, she expressed commitment and faith in the world’s young people, whose enthusiasm and determination are crucial for building a better and more inclusive future for all.

“Your ideals are the music of humankind, which is not giving up hope - hope that better days will come,” she said.

Poverty limits prospects
Ms. Narváez noted that the global fight against poverty “is getting tougher”, with only one third of countries on the path to reducing numbers by the SDG deadline of 2030.

Today, seven per cent of the global population, 570 million people, are living in extreme poverty, she said, and young people account for “a significant part” of their ranks.

“We know that poverty seriously limits the prospects for development of our young people, thus perpetuating the cycle,” she said. “We have to do more for our young people, and part of the response is including them in public decisions.”

Energy and conviction
Addressing the forum, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the energy and conviction of young people are infectious, and more vital than ever.

He used the occasion to again focus on the war in Gaza, sparked by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October.

“It is high time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid,” he said, drawing applause from participants.