Director-General's remarks at the Closing Session of the 62nd Graduate Study Programme

Closing Session of the 62^nd Graduate Study Programme

Theme: “Summit of the Future: Challenges and Opportunities”

Friday, 12 July 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

Room VII, Palais des Nations

Dear students,

It is my pleasure to join you today for the closing session of this year’s Graduate Study Programme. Since 1962, the UN’s Graduate Study Programme has brought together and provided training to more than 3,000 young people from over 110 countries on all continents, making it the longest-running educational programme of the United Nations. You are the 62^nd group to receive first-hand insights and conduct research designed to deepen your understanding of the United Nations and International Geneva. I trust that the last two weeks have been an enlightening, intense experience, which has brought you closer to the UN values, aspirations, and activities. 

The Palais des Nations, where we meet today, dates back to the 1920s, when it was home to the League of Nations. Since then, International Geneva has been the center stage for modern multilateralism and an important hub for global efforts to maintain international peace and security, promote sustainable development, combat climate change, and advance human rights. The city offers a unique ecosystem of near universal representation of 182 Member States, and hosts numerous intergovernmental organizations, hundreds of NGOs, think tanks, academia, as well as the private sector. They all work at the forefront of technological innovation, trade, development and humanitarian assistance, health, peace-building, environmental protection, and human rights. 

As you have no doubt seen over the past two weeks, International Geneva and the Palais des Nations are a true hub for diversity and international cooperation. I am pleased that the 62^nd GSP, our flagship educational initiative, has brought together such a notably diverse group of extraordinary students, with 53 participants coming from 42 countries on all 6 continents. Diversity is at the heart of everything we do at the UN. The promotion of multilingualism, elimination of racial discrimination, advancement of gender equality: these are just some of the ways for us to cherish and promote our diverse backgrounds. 

I am particularly pleased to see that 31 of you gathered here today are women. UN Geneva works tirelessly to improve the representation of women at all levels by driving an inclusive and empowering culture free from bias and discrimination. UN Geneva was the birthplace of the International Gender Champion initiative: a leadership network that currently brings together over 250 active Champions: heads of international organizations, permanent missions, and civil society organizations, all working to break down gender barriers. 

The theme of the GSP this year was “Summit of the Future: Challenges and Opportunities”. The Summit, which, as you know, will take place in New York on 22-23 September, will present an important opportunity to invigorate our multilateral system, ensuring that it aligns with the aspirations of the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As you have learned at this gathering, Member States will be asked to endorse an action-oriented Pact for the Future, a blueprint that not only aims to reshape global governance but also to make it more inclusive, networked, and effective.

Over the past ten days, you have heard from a wide range of speakers, on all five thematic areas that will be included in the Pact for the Future, including peace and security, financing for development, AI, youth and future generations, and transforming global governance.

I am particularly glad that you had a keynote address from my colleague Mr. Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, who is leading the efforts on the Summit from the UN Secretariat side. You also heard experts and speakers from across the UN and beyond. You learned about climate action, gender equality, global health cooperation, and nuclear disarmament, to name just a few topics. You have done praiseworthy work in your five working groups over a limited period of time, addressing different aspects of the Pact. Your works will be published online as one report and will also be added to UN Geneva Library’s digital collection.

Young people, like yourselves, have the passion to innovate and the power to raise awareness. Young people stand up for what is right and hold leaders accountable. Young people are truly a great source of inspiration for the United Nations. 

Despite this amazing potential, and the fact that people under 30 represent half of the world’s population, young people are still vastly underrepresented in the decision-making processes. Guided by the Youth2030 strategy, the United Nations is genuinely committed to investing in youth and ensuring youth engagement at all levels. Youth empowerment is also a key pillar of “Our Common Agenda”, which you have certainly discussed over the past two weeks. We all have a role to play in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and I hope that this programme provided you with inspiration and a foundation for your further contribution to making this world a better place. 

Stay in touch with us and with each other. Build upon the network you have created over the past two weeks. Continue to pursue admirable causes in your local communities, universities, countries. Even if the world around us may sometimes appear bleak and hopeless, do not lose hope. Keep learning, keep doing your part, keep working for the common good. We need you. I wish you success in your future endeavours. 

Thank you.