Opening Remarks by Interim UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Bradley J. Busetto on the Youth Day 2024

Excellencies, youth leaders and participants

Good afternoon,

As the UN Resident Coordinator for the Maldives, it is my honor to address you in this event to celebrate the International Youth Day for 2024. It gives me more pleasure to observe the active role by the youth leaders and groups in taking this celebration forward. 

Ladies ane gentlemen, the International Youth Day is an occasion to celebrate the power and potential of young people. This is at the heart of the theme for this years’ theme and reflects in the hashtag #: YouthLead. It recognizes the pivotal role of youth in harnessing technology to advance sustainable development.

Around the world, young people are turning clicks into progress, making the most of digital tools to take on local and global challenges – from climate change to rising inequalities to the growing mental health crisis. I am certain that the energy and enthusiasm in this room signifies similar drive and ambition of the Maldivian youth to make their mark locally and globally in digital space and elsewhere. 

With only seven years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda and none of the 17 SDGs fully met, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned, “Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been.” But achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a seismic shift – which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals. 

That means bridging digital divides, boosting investments in education, critical thinking and information literacy, tackling the gender biases that often dominate the tech industry, and supporting young innovators in expanding digital solutions. As Artificial Intelligence reshapes our world, young people must also be front and centre in shaping digital policies and institutions.

Ladies and gentlemen, the digital journey of Maldives is a success story, especially for a SIDS country. The Maldivian youth is fortunate with 99% accessibility of youth to digital spaces, including for young migrant workers that contribute to our society. So, more policy interventions need more nuanced approach to address the gaps in digital accessibility and fostering of innovative culture and entrepreneurship.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This celebration today marks a key milestone towards the Summit of the Future to be held in New York in September 2024, where the world leaders will decide upon the future of multilateralism. It is also an opportunity to build global problem-solving mechanisms that are more networked and inclusive.

Through the inter-governmental documents, ‘Pact of the Future’ and ‘Declaration on Future Generations’, global decision making will make commitment towards expanded and strengthened youth participation in global decision making. 

Therefore, in conclusion I take this opportunity to call for the Government of Maldives to also create an enabling environment for young people to fulfill their rights and potential through education, jobs, physical and mental health, national youth consultative bodies, resources for youth-led organizations, removing legislative and policy barriers, and flexible funding, including through a global youth investment platform. 

At both global and national level, decision making needs to systematically take future impact into account, consciously avoiding foreseeable harms to and safeguarding the interests of future generations. At the global level, UN Youth Office and the entire UN family stands with and for young people. It is together with our youth and their energy and ideas; we can shape a sustainable future that leaves no youth behind. 

Thank you very much for your attention.