By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized the necessity of providing young people with the skills and knowledge required to shape a cleaner, greener, and more climate-resilient future. Speaking in a message released to commemorate International Youth Day 2023 (IYD), Guterres highlighted the importance of skills ranging from sustainable technologies to revolutionary changes in transportation and industry.
This year’s IYD, celebrated annually on August 9, centered around the theme “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.” Guterres stressed that the potential of the youth is crucial for humanity’s progress, asserting, “Every year, International Youth Day celebrates the determination, ideas, and leadership of young people as we pursue a better world.” He underlined their role in demanding urgent and bold action, showing solidarity with the vulnerable, and designing solutions for social, economic, climate justice, peace, and prosperity.
To enhance youth participation, Guterres launched a policy brief advocating for governments to prioritize their involvement across global decisions and policies. He noted, “This year’s theme reminds us of the importance of ensuring young people gain and apply skills in the burgeoning green economy. Today and every day, let’s support and stand with young people in shaping a just and sustainable world, for people and planet.”
Jayathma Wickramanayake, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, also stressed the impact of young people on societal change through climate action, racial justice advocacy, and gender equality promotion. She emphasized that transformational changes necessitate contributions from a diverse range of actors. Wickramanayake’s message resonated with the call to work collectively toward a more peaceful, just, and equal world that empowers all young individuals to fulfill their potential.