- World Youth Gathers in China for Building Better Future
- Beijing fosters Silk Road connectivity as 2,000 young leaders from 130 countries gather in China to attend the 2024 World Youth Development Forum held to celebrate the International Youth Day.
- UN data shows that 67% of people believe in a better future
- UN Secretary-General, António Guterres says young people are vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
- Moaaz Awan leads Pakistani Youth delegation at the World Youth Development Forum in Beijing
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Beijing: Chinese capital Beijing fosters Silk Road connectivity as the bustling city welcomed some 2,000 young leaders, from 130+ countries and 20 international organizations, who arrived in China to attend the 2024 World Youth Development Forum hosted by Beijing on August 12th in commemoration of “International Youth Day”.
The 2024 World Youth Development Forum opened with the theme “Together for a Better Future, “inviting youth of Belt and Road Countries to understand China’s marvelous development path marked by the silk road spirit of mutual respect, win-win cooperation.
The 2024 World Youth Development Forum commenced in Beijing on August 12th, coinciding The forum organized colorful opening ceremony and insightful plenary sessions, helping the youth to explore development opportunities in China, besides empowering them to shape their future marked by sustainable development, digital technologies such as mobile devices, and artificial intelligence.
According to UN reports, half of the people on our planet are 30 or younger, and this is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030. UN data shows that 67% of people believe in a better future, with 15 to 17 year-olds being the most optimistic about this.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in his message on International Youth Day “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a seismic shift – which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals ”
The 2024 World Youth Development Forum was co-hosted by the All-China Youth Federation and the United Nations in China, and was graced by prominent figures such as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Mr. Felipe Paullier, Former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Mr. Vladimir Norov, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, and representatives from UNICEF, ILO, and ACYF.
Participants of the forum emphasized the critical role of youth in advancing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Development Initiative.
The Pakistani delegation consisted of five delegates representing entrepreneurs, youth advocates and Chinese enterprises based in Pakistan.
Moaaz Awan representing Pakistan was one of the 8 youth delegates which read out the Declaration for “International Youth Advocacy for the Summit of the Future.” In the plenary session. In which, they pledged to stay conscious of global matters, be innovative, embrace cooperation, and take on the responsibility to work in solidarity toward accelerating the achievement of global sustainable development and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Leading up to the UN Summit of the Future this September, youth representatives from around the globe convened for pre-meetings to discuss pressing global challenges. These meetings provided a platform for young voices to influence global policy, aiming to forge a new international consensus for a better future. This year, the forum took a significant leap by integrating renewable energy discussions into its agenda.
The Summit of the Future will be held on September 20, 2024 in New York, USA.
WYDF is China’s largest International Youth led effort to garner support and consensus amongst the youth to achieve United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and push forward China-led Global Development Initiative (GDI).
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