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Ahead of the International Youth Day, which is observed annually on 12 August, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said young people can lead the global agenda for a more sustainable future.

In a special message released this week, the UN Secretary General said today’s youth, who make up the largest population of young people in human history, are directly affected by tragic contradictions in the world. Some of the prevailing contradictions he noted are young people living in abject poverty in the midst of ostentatious wealth; a world experiencing gnawing hunger while food is shamefully wasted; there are immense natural resources in the world as industries are being polluted.

Ban Ki-moon said the youth can provide solutions to these issues, which are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Another major challenge faced by young people is unemployment. Young people account for 40 percent of the world’s population. But one-third of the youth population is neither currently employed, in school nor in training, according to Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) – a multi-stakeholder global coalition established to promote youth access to job opportunities.  

According to the World Bank, one billion more youth will enter the job market in the next 10 years. This means global economy needs to create at least 600 million jobs over the next decade – or five million jobs each month – to keep pace with projected youth employment rates.

As the world vigilantly implements the 2030 Agenda for a healthier, safer and more just future, the UN Secretary General said the UN is counting on the active engagement of the world’s young people to transform the production and consumption of goods and services in order to meet the basic needs and aspirations of the world’s poorest people, while not overburdening the already strained ecosystems.

"Young people are traditionally at the cutting edge, and today’s youth have more information than any previous generation. Their dynamism, creativity and idealism can combine to shape attitudes towards demand and help create more sustainable industries,” Ban Ki-moon said.

The UN scribe encouraged youths to become involved in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demanding action by their governments. Ban Ki-moon said when governments invest in youth, they can contribute to new markets, decent jobs, fair trade, sustainable housing, sustainable transport and tourism, and more opportunities that benefit the planet and people. He also said the UN is supporting young leaders who can promote the SDGs.  

"On International Youth Day, I urge others to join this global push for progress.  Let us empower young people with the resources, backing and space they need to create lasting change in our world," said the UN Secretary General.