UN chief calls on youth to play active in global agenda

UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday called on world's youth to play an active role in promoting global agenda "at a crucial time for people and our planet."

Noting that 2015 is a chance to change the course of history, to end poverty and to act to avoid worst effects of climate change, Ban noted that youth can be "agents of change" when he addressed a Youth Forum held at UN headquarters.

The year 2015 marks the end of implementation of UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and will witness the adoption of a post- 2015 development agenda as well as a new universal climate agreement.

"Our Planet is yours to inherit. That is why we must combat climate change. We need your ideas to help reduce emissions and become more climate-resilient," Ban told the forum.

Mentioning many young people today are caught up in deadly conflicts, Ban also encouraged youth to fight injustice and inequality with solidarity

"Young people can speak out as never before. You can denounce injustice and reach hands across cultures and communities," he said. "We may not agree on every issue - but we can all agree that violence only leads to more suffering."

In addition, Ban also called on the world to create more wealth and also more jobs for youth to prosper, and to support young entrepreneurs so they can create jobs for others.

"Dignity is a world where young people can get good jobs,"  He said, referring that 73 million young people are looking for work around the world.

"We need the power of young people all over the world - in rich and poor countries," he added.

The Youth Forum is one of the UN's initiatives to invite young people to get involved on issues that matter to them, from job security to education, as well as other matters included in the global agenda, such as the sustainable development goals.  

In this regard, Ahmad Alhendawi, Ban's special envoy on youth, said that a "sense of ownership" is critical to the success of the future sustainable development agenda and 1.8 billion young people worldwide are ready to "carry their share" of the post-2015 development.