From Clicks to Progress: Youth Pathways for Sustainable Development

I am honored to stand before you today as we celebrate the potential, creativity, and dynamism of our youth. This occasion is a tribute not only to their accomplishments but also to recognize the myriad opportunities that lie ahead. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for their dedication to empowering the next generation and providing this vital platform for exploration and engagement.

Today, we gather to elevate the voices of young people, recognize their contributions, and discuss the pressing issues they face. In a rapidly evolving world, youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are today's innovators, change-makers, and problem-solvers. It is imperative that we come together to empower them, listen to their ideas, and support their aspirations.

We unite under the powerful theme: "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," highlighting the potential of the digital landscape and its role in fostering the leaders of our future. We are witnessing a digital revolution where a single viral video can galvanize thousands to advocate for crucial causes. The impact of youth-led movements is profound, illustrating their potential to drive meaningful change.

Consider these statistics: nearly 90% of teenagers in developed countries own smartphones, engaging digitally for over five hours a day. In emerging markets, youth are seizing mobile ownership, gaining access to unprecedented information. Over 60% of students worldwide utilize online platforms for education, while 25% of young entrepreneurs aged 18-34 are leveraging digital tools to launch businesses. Digital skills are paramount for employability, with 70% enhancing data analysis and digital marketing capabilities.

However, we must also acknowledge the challenges—40% of young people report stress related to excessive social media use and the pressure to maintain online personas. This duality of opportunity and pressure underscores the need for balance.

Armed with tools like social media, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, young people have the power to be architects of change. They have the potential to raise awareness, influence policy, and create collaborative platforms that can reshape the narrative surrounding sustainable development. 

Talk about the National Business Competition Pitch

Just last Friday, I witnessed young innovators showcasing eco-friendly portable electronic lunch bags that harness both traditional electricity and solar energy. Their achievements remind us of the immense potential of our youth.

Commend Government for its digital initiatives for young people

I commend the Government of Ghana for initiatives like "One Teacher, One Laptop" and "One Student, One Tablet," which are instrumental in bridging the digital divide. Yet, more work is needed from all stakeholders—governments, private enterprises, and the development sector—to expand digital learning opportunities and address barriers, especially those faced by girls in this revolution.

The Generation Unlimited (GenU) Landscape Assessment for Ghana highlights a troubling gender disparity in digital access: only 3% of females own computer devices compared to 12% of males; 60% of women own mobile phones versus 68% of men; and just 15% of females acquire ICT skills, compared to 28% of males. Alarmingly, 50% of students lack mobile or computer-based internet access.

If we do not address this digital divide, we risk undermining the opportunities provided by a burgeoning digital economy. But harnessing this potential requires more than engagement—it demands knowledge, access, and ongoing support. We need to evolve our education systems to prioritize digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. True transformation in skills development must involve strategic leadership, a depoliticized approach to skills, and sustained investments in relevant technical and vocational education and training (TVET) at both secondary and tertiary levels.

The UN support to Young People

The United Nations is committed to supporting youth through the Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the UN Youth Strategy. Our agencies, including UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, UNESCO, and UN-Habitat, have launched initiatives such as the UNFPA Fellows programme, UNDP's Accelerator Labs, UNCDF’s Build and Bridge Fund and UNICEF's Innovation Lab to empower young people. Through collaborations like Impact Investing Ghana and our start-up Compendium, we are exploring innovative solutions to tackle poverty and climate change for and with young businesses. The UN Youth Office and the entire UN family are committed to standing with young people as partners and leaders in shaping a sustainable future.

Summit of the Future

Looking ahead to the upcoming Summit of the Future, we have a significant opportunity to establish inclusive global problem-solving mechanisms. We urge leaders to elevate youth participation, create consultative bodies to amplify young voices and foster intergenerational dialogue. We can invest in their potential as transformative agents by increasing funding for youth initiatives.

I commend Ghana for actively ensuring diverse voices are represented in its position paper for the Summit. 

Elections

As we approach the elections, I want to remind young people about our ‘I Pledge for Peace’ campaign. Take positive actions to foster peace in Ghana by resisting mis-and-dis information, rejecting recruitment into conflict-initiating groups, and encouraging your families to cherish our nation’s peace.

Before I end my statement, please permit me to share with you the message of the UN secretary-General in observance of the day:

International Youth Day celebrates the power and potential of young people.

This year’s focus is on 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. 

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. 

Next month’s Summit of the Future is an opportunity to build global problem-solving mechanisms that are more networked and inclusive. I urge leaders to use the Summit to advance youth participation at every level, establish youth consultative bodies, promote intergenerational dialogue and scale up funding opportunities for young people everywhere.

You can count on the UN Youth Office and the entire UN family to stand with and for young people. 

Together, let us draw on their energy and ideas to shape a more sustainable future for all. 

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I would also like to announce that, the United Nations Youth Office, in partnership with the UN Futures Lab, is inviting young people around the world to join a participatory virtual foresight activity: “Let #YouthLead for the Future”.

We know that tackling the complex crises facing our world today requires urgent action, systemic shifts and enabling environments that elevate the role of young people as the leaders of today and tomorrow. Yet current power systems have continued to prioritize short-term thinking and benefits at the expense of our shared future. Youth foresight and futures thinking are key tools at our disposal to change this narrative.

I urge al young people in this room to share their insights and perspectives by completing a short online survey between now and 31 August.

By helping to better understand probable and possible futures, this process will help define what preferred futures we should collectively and collaboratively work towards. The process builds upon the mobilization of thousands of young people in recent months telling world leaders “It’s Time to Let #YouthLead”, and will culminate at the Summit of the Future and the youth-led Action Day. Go to 
https://bit.ly/3YBZxcn

Or go online and search “Its Time to Let Youth Lead.

Another information I di like to share with the Ghanaian young artists is to be a part of the call for submission being organized the United Nations SDG Action Campaign and the HUG, a global community for artists, in collaboration with the United Nations Youth Office. Artists from around the world are invited to submit artwork that reimagines and recalibrates political, economic, social, and environmental systems for a peaceful, just, and inclusive present and a hopeful future. Submissions are open until 19 August 2024. This is a chance to contribute to a powerful movement using art to take action, inspire change and promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The selected artworks will be showcased in the coming months at key milestone events including the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I urge you all to embrace your journey and push your limits. Don’t just think outside the box—break the box entirely! The world awaits your ideas and innovations.

So, here’s my call to action: step boldly into your power! Engage in projects that inspire you, challenge the status quo, and uplift one another. 

Together, we can create a brighter future, for with your creativity and imagination, the sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning!

Are you ready? Let’s make it happen!

Thank you.