Video message by Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan at closing ceremony of "Youth SDG and Finance Academy"

Distinguished partners,

UN colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to address today the closing ceremony of Youth SDG and Finance Academy.

Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan and the management of the national universities for their invaluable cooperation in building the capacity of future generations in financing for development.

As the UN Secretary-General highlights, we need a coherent, coordinated and inclusive global financial system that will fully support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement.

The progress in financing for development depends on several critical factors: well-defined strategies, political will, and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders.

Among them, academia and youth hold a paramount position as the driving force of the future.

SDG Youth and Finance Academy serves as a dynamic platform that brings together these two key stakeholders, and offered a platform to explore solutions and propose ideas that can accelerate progress towards SDGs.

I believe that the participants enjoyed a well-organised and intensive training programme. Equipped with new knowledge and skills , they are now poised to become ambassadors of SDG financing.

I wish to all participants of the SDG Youth and Finance Academy a bright and fulfilling future,  and a lot of success in future endeavours.

Once again, I extend my deepest appreciation to everyone involved in making the Youth SDG and Finance Academy a resounding success.

Let us continue our collective efforts to build a sustainable and equitable world for generations to come.

Thank you!