UN chief calls on younger generation to act for SDGs at youth forum

UNITED NATIONS - During a UN flagship youth forum on Tuesday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the urgent need for youths' engagement in finding solutions to the world's most pressing issues, and Chinese youth leaders stood out with their innovative and practical solutions to tackle these challenges.

In his video message to the 2023 ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council) Youth Forum, the UN chief emphasized that the world needs young people "more than ever" -- from climate change, conflicts, poverty to inequality.

He acknowledged that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are "slipping out of reach," and developing solutions to these challenges is the "driving force" behind the forum's discussions.

The top UN official also spoke of the new UN Youth Office that will be in full operation this year.

Fu Zhenbang, vice president of the All-China Youth Federation, delivered a video speech at the forum's ministerial session, emphasizing "the importance of youth in advancing the 2030 Agenda."

China is committed to implementing the concept of "prioritizing youth development" and has formulated and implemented a policy system for youth development covering multiple areas, including education, health, employment, and entrepreneurship, Fu said.

Fu highlighted the capability of youths to innovate and create in fields such as the digital economy, education and culture, employment and entrepreneurship, rural revitalization, and climate action.

The All-China Youth Federation "actively participates in UN youth affairs" and held the first World Youth Development Forum in July 2022. It will hold the second forum this September, inviting young people from all countries to work together "to contribute to the implementation of 2030 Agenda and building a community with a shared future for mankind," Fu said.

Lin Tengyu, co-founder and CEO of HurRain NanoTech, highlighted at the clean water and sanitation-SDG 6 session the importance of using innovative technologies to address the clean water shortage for 2 billion people in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

He shared his team's work in developing the world's leading atmospheric water generation technology, which can efficiently harvest pure and high-quality drinking water from air under low humidity conditions, and their efforts to provide atmospheric water generators to water-scarce regions in Africa.

He also emphasized the need for policymakers "to engage young innovators and networks as key partners in negotiating water agreements" by providing opportunities for them to showcase their solutions and involve them in policy dialogues and decision-making processes.

The 2023 ECOSOC Youth Forum is currently taking place in a hybrid format on April 25-27, and has gathered more than 1,000 young leaders, activists, and youth organizations from around the world to engage in discussions on how young people can play a pivotal role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.