2023 World Youth Development Forum

Xu Xiao, Chairman of the All-China Youth Federation,

Deng Boqing, Deputy Director of China International Development Cooperation Agency,

Dear guests,

Ladies and gentlemen, young friends, good afternoon!

I am delighted to speak to you today on behalf of the co-chairs of the Youth Theme Group of the United Nations in China. 

Our world today is experiencing a significant demographic shift. With 1.8 billion people aged 10 to 24, we are witnessing the largest generation of youth in human history. 

This young generation is born into a rapidly evolving world with expanded opportunities for personal growth and economic prosperity, and new tools and innovations to help them drive positive change, and shape the future. 

At the same time, young people also face many formidable challenges and life-threatening risks. Issues such as global conflict, climate change, unequal access to education and healthcare, and systemic discrimination can have devastating effects on youth, and hinder both their personal development and ability to positively impact the world. Regrettably, these burdens tend to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including many girls and young women across the globe.

At the halfway point of the Sustainable Development Goals – our global blueprint to safeguard people and planet by 2030 – we have fallen woefully behind. Only 15% of SDG targets are currently on track, and more than a third are either stagnating or going backwards. Most alarmingly, none of the climate and environmental targets under SDG 13 – Climate Action are on track, and many are regressing. 

Against this context, to rescue the global development agenda, we need the ingenuity and creativity of youth more than ever. We need young people to participate in decision making processes, promote social progress and provide them with opportunities to create the world they want to see! 

Indeed, young people are at the very heart of the SDGs, with more than 1/3 of targets referring to youth directly or indirectly.

It is, therefore, vital to invest in youth development and engage young people as active partners in realizing a sustainable future. 

And this must be done inclusively. It’s essential to ensure that vulnerable youth groups are not left behind, and also have the opportunities to harness their full potential to contribute in building the world of tomorrow.

Since its beginnings, the United Nations has always valued the imagination and vitality of young people. Here in China, we are working both with, and for, youth across a range of areas, including education, employment, environment and agriculture, health, and social equality. Together with our partners, we are committed to empowering young people to be changemakers in building a better world. 

The World Youth Development Forum provides a valuable opportunity to shine a spotlight on youth development, elevate the importance of youth within the broader development agenda, and champion youth-led actions to accelerate the SDGs.

I am, therefore, thrilled to see so many young people and leaders joining us today from all over the world, both online and in person. I look forward to the discussions over the next several days and learning from experts on how to further involve and support young people in various aspects of sustainable development. 

Moving forward, the UN Country Team in China, will continue our unwavering efforts to foster an environment where all young people, including the most vulnerable, can flourish by amplifying their voices and responding to their needs.

In closing, let me offer my congratulations to the All-China Youth Federation for organizing this important event. 

Let me also conclude by addressing all the young people here today directly:

You represent the next generation of leaders – more connected, more engaged, and more capable than any generation before you.

Your drive and passion are key in pioneering the innovative solutions to the many complex challenges we face today. 

As UN Secretary-General, António Guterres stated earlier this year, “Humanity depends on the boundless energy, ideas and contributions of youth everywhere.”

This is your world to inherit, so I encourage each of you to do your bit and contribute to making it a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive one.

Thank you, and I wish the World Youth Development Forum success!