International Youth Day 2022 Celebration in Collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports

H.E. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, All young people in Egypt across the country; UN Representatives of Egypt; Honorable Guests;

On behalf of the UN in Egypt, I am pleased to address you on this special occasion of the International Youth Day celebrated in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The convening of this celebration for many years now became not just a tradition but a strong pillar in the UN cooperation portfolio in Egypt. 

It positions our robust commitment in advancing the role of young people in achieving sustainable development. It also reflects our longstanding partnership with the Government of Egypt including the Ministry of Youth and Sports who is a very valuable partner to the UN.

The International Youth Day celebrated this year under the theme “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages.” This theme amplifies an important message; all generations – without any exclusion - have a role to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs

Our generation and the ones to come are facing multiple challenges ranging from the consequences of COVID-19, the unprecedented global economic crisis, rapid climate changes, conflict, poverty and different forms of inequalities.  These challenges add an enormous burden on young generations. Therefore, the theme of intergenerational solidarity has never been more important.

The meaningful engagement of young women and men is the first step on the way to a more fair and better future. Youth should be engaged as Change-Makers with the power to act and mobilize others. As Innovators bringing fresh perspectives and offering new ideas and alternative solutions. As Communicators of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs to peers and communities at the local, national, regional, and global levels. And most importantly, as Leaders who can drive change not only for yourselves, but also for your communities, country, and the rest of the world.

This is why, our UN Egypt Youth Task Force sat up several youth dialogues in the celebration of the International Youth Day this week to listen to and amplify the voices of the Egyptian youth. We are very excited to hear and share the recommendations from the youth dialogues hosted this week, later in the programme today. 

With the recognition of the potentials of young women and men in Egypt who constitute about 60% of Egypt’s population, there are key international and national milestones with enormous potentials for young people.

First: The whole world – including Egypt - is gathering next month in the Transforming Education Summit (TES) during the 77th UN General Assembly. Countries will take stock of efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses; to reimagine education systems for the world of today and tomorrow; and to revitalize national and global efforts to achieve SDG-4. Young voices are an integral part of the success of this summit as it will mobilize political ambition, action, solutions and solidarity to transform education.

Second: With the selection of Egypt to host the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, and the upcoming Youth Climate Conference (COY17), there is a crucial and unmissable opportunity for young people to drive the ambitious climate action agenda.  It will ensure that people and planet are centered in climate obligations and positions youth leadership in driving the climate agenda.

We at the UN are happy to be joining forces with the organizations hosting the COY and the LCOY. We encourage all young people attending today, to participate in the Local Conference of Youth that will be held in five governorates and Cairo in September.  Your inputs and engagement are crucial.

Third: With 2022 as the year of Civil Society and the commencement of the National Political Dialogue in Egypt under the directives of the political leadership, there are new venues to hear young people’s voices in Egypt. We are happy to continue supporting youth in positioning their opinions and expressing their ambitions for a better future for Egypt.

 I would like to conclude my speech by re-affirming the commitment of the United Nations in Egypt in working closely hand in hand with the Government of Egypt and all development stakeholders to position youth-centered programming into our core joint efforts Egypt. This is clearly illustrated in our United Nations Partnership Development Framework UNPDF (2018-2022) and our next five-years new cooperation framework; the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework UNSDCF (2023 – 2027).

Finally, I would like to convey my appreciation for all the young people here with us today. Your engagement comes at the heart of our work in Egypt, and we will always be by your side as you aspire for a more prosperous Egypt.

Enjoy the event!