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STORY: UN / YOUTH FORUM
TRT: 4:40
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 16 APRIL 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters
16 APRIL 2024, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, conference room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“The energy and conviction of young people are infectious, and more vital than ever.”
4. Wide shot, conference room
5. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Israel’s military operations in Gaza, following the devastating terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, are having an appalling impact on civilians – including young people. Thousands of children have been killed. Thousands more have lost one or both parents. And one hundred per cent of young people in Gaza – every single child – is out of school. It is high time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.”
6. Wide shot, conference room
7. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“We need action and we need justice. I salute young people around the world for standing up, speaking out and working for real change. We need you. And I am fully committed to bringing young people into political decision-making; not just listening to your views, but acting on them.”
8. Wide shot, conference room
9. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“I urge all Member States to get behind our proposals. And I ask young people to join forces with allies and partners across civil society – to demand that governments make the Summit count. You can start by supporting the Summit of the Future digital campaigns we are launching today: Take on the ActNow challenge – and share it with your networks – to show leaders how many of us demand a sustainable future for all; And sign the open letter to world leaders on reviving multilateralism, launched today by the United Nations Youth Office.”
10. Wide shot, conference room
11. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Our climate is in meltdown. And the poorest are paying the price. This is breathtaking injustice. And a terrible betrayal of your generation. Governments need to adopt strong policies to accelerate the global phase-out of fossil fuels and a just transition to clean energy. They need to create new national climate plans by 2025 that align with the 1.5 degree Celsius limit; And they need to bring young people into this work – meaningfully. The transition to renewables must be just, and it must be sustainable.”
12. Various shots, conference room
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Baharaki, Global Youth Ambassador:
“As youth and in fact, the most vulnerable group we need more than just a seat at a conference or table to write a decision or microphone to raise our voices. We need support. We need the government and the private sectors and civil societies to support us at all levels by involving us in all levels of meaningful decision making process and support our initiatives.”
14. Wide shot, conference room
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Baharaki, Global Youth Ambassador:
“We have power - the power to dream for a better world and the courage and bravery to work and make these dreams a reality. We have the power to inspire and innovate. We're fearless, fresh, open minded and unfamiliar with terms and possible and most importantly, the future citizens of the world. The world that we are trying to save.”
16. Wide shot, conference room
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Baharaki, Global Youth Ambassador:
“For us young generation, we do not wait for the right time. We create the right time to act and bring changes that we want to see in our societies.”
18. Wide shot, conference room
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Baharaki, Global Youth Ambassador:
“So dear change makers, I know we're all here for a story - to rewrite it, either for ourselves, for our communities, or for the world. So let's not forget that we are the writers for the new story, for the world and future generations, with your innovations, advocacy and initiatives.”
20. Wide shot, conference room
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The energy and conviction of young people are infectious, and more vital than ever,” saluting to young people around the world for standing up, speaking out and working for real change.
Guterres today (16 Apr) spoke at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in New York.
He reiterated that he is “fully committed to bringing young people into political decision-making; not just listening to your views, but acting on them.”
The UN chief also said, “Israel’s military operations in Gaza, following the devastating terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, are having an appalling impact on civilians – including young people.”
He added, “Thousands of children have been killed. Thousands more have lost one or both parents. And one hundred per cent of young people in Gaza – every single child – is out of school. It is high time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.”
The Secretary-General also urged all Member States to get behind UN’s proposals, “and I ask young people to join forces with allies and partners across civil society – to demand that governments make the Summit count,” he added.
“You can start by supporting the Summit of the Future digital campaigns we are launching today: Take on the ActNow challenge – and share it with your networks – to show leaders how many of us demand a sustainable future for all; And sign the open letter to world leaders on reviving multilateralism, launched today by the United Nations Youth Office,” Guterres said.
The UN Chief highlighted, “Our climate is in meltdown. And the poorest are paying the price. This is breathtaking injustice. And a terrible betrayal of your generation.”
He continued, “Governments need to adopt strong policies to accelerate the global phase-out of fossil fuels and a just transition to clean energy. They need to create new national climate plans by 2025 that align with the 1.5 degree Celsius limit; And they need to bring young people into this work – meaningfully. The transition to renewables must be just, and it must be sustainable.”
Sarah Baharaki, Global Youth Ambassador also spoke at the Forum.
She said, “As youth and in fact, the most vulnerable group we need more than just a seat at a conference or table to write a decision or microphone to raise our voices. We need support. We need the government and the private sectors and civil societies to support us at all levels by involving us in all levels of meaningful decision-making process and support our initiatives.”
The Global Youth Ambassador said, “We have power - the power to dream for a better world and the courage and bravery to work and make these dreams a reality. We have the power to inspire and innovate. We're fearless, fresh, open minded and unfamiliar with terms and possible and most importantly, the future citizens of the world. The world that we are trying to save.”
“For us young generation,” Baharaki said, “we do not wait for the right time. We create the right time to act and bring changes that we want to see in our societies.”
Speaking to the forum participants, the Global Youth Ambassador said, “Dear change makers, I know we're all here for a story - to rewrite it, either for ourselves, for our communities, or for the world. So let's not forget that we are the writers for the new story, for the world and future generations, with your innovations, advocacy and initiatives.”
Over 1000 young leaders from around the world will gather at United Nations headquarters from 16 to18 April to take part in the 2024 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum. More than 80 countries will participate in this event with over 90 youth delegates representing their governments. This year’s forum will leverage the expertise of young people to develop solutions for a fairer, greener, more inclusive and resilient future for all.
With mounting multiple crises, the annual Forum is a key platform where young people share their ideas, engage with Member States and key stakeholders, as well as showcase the actions they are already taken to make the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a reality for all.
