Director-General's remarks at opening of the Young Activists Summit "Go Far, Go Together"

Opening of the Main Session of the Young Activists Summit “Go Far, Go Together”

Tuesday, 19 November 2024 at 10.00 a.m.

Room XVIII, Palais des Nations

Dear young Activists,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you here today to the Palais des Nations - a venue that hosts thousands of meetings every year, and where countless critical decisions are taken. 

We are particularly glad to have you all here for the Young Activists Summit (YAS), an event that stands out as one of the most inspiring and dynamic we host. 

Young people are the leaders of tomorrow, and as you will show us today, you are already leading change in ways that inspire us all. The United Nations is proud to be your partner. Through our Youth Strategy, ‘Youth 2030,’ we have been committed to amplifying young voices, supporting your ambitions, and building spaces, like YAS, where youth leadership is not only welcomed but celebrated. 

Just last September, world leaders reinforced this commitment by adopting the landmark “Pact for the Future,” which recognizes youth as essential partners in creating a just and sustainable world. The Pact aims to empower youth in decision-making and uphold intergenerational responsibility through the "Declaration on Future Generations​”, ensuring today’s decisions respect and protect the rights of future generations. Events like the YAS embody this vision, demonstrating the profound role youth play in helping us realize this shared future. The Pact also aims to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. In the words of the Secretary-General: “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me extend my warmest thanks to our partners - Dev.tv, Radio Télévision Suisse, and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies - whose support has made this Summit, now in its sixth edition, possible. 

This year’s theme, ‘Go Far, Go Together,’ resonates deeply with the values of the United Nations. It captures the very essence of multilateralism, built on the principle that no single country, community, or individual can tackle our biggest challenges alone. Whether it’s advancing climate action, championing human rights, or promoting peace, we know that collective action is the way forward. 

We need each other, and we need the creativity, energy, and optimism that you, the young leaders, bring to our global stage. Multilateralism also means inclusion, and as we will see today, when young activists are empowered, they ignite movements that transcend borders and build pathways to a fairer, more sustainable future.

Today, we honor Marley Dias, Sohanur Rahman, Shanley Clémot McLaren, Alvaro Quiroz, and Cynthia Houniuhi. These five individuals, aged 19 to 30, are boldly addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from climate change to representation and inclusion, from human and women’s rights to combating cybersexism. Each of you embody the strength and resilience that this world so urgently needs, and through their work, they demonstrate that we can indeed go far when we go together. You embody the very spirit of the United Nations: coming together, engaging in discussions, and striving to create a world that is fairer, more peaceful, and more united.

You are not just our future, you are our present, and your contributions are shaping policies and communities right now. Let this day inspire us to keep working, dreaming, and building a world that truly reflects the energy, vision, and determination of our youth. 

Thank you.