#YouthLead Dialogue at NAMYO

Good morning!

It is a great honor to co-organize this #YouthLead Dialogue with our dear partner, the NAMYO Secretariat.

And it is always wonderful to re-connect with NAMYO members from across the world, and with young people of Azerbaijan.

Almost a year ago, before the Summit of the Future in September 2024, many of us gathered at ADA University. Together, we crafted messages for world leaders – messages that came straight from you. You called for meaningful youth engagement, for space to shape decisions, and you reminded us that you bring not only passion, but expertise, innovation, and fresh ideas to solving the challenges ahead.

Because of voices like yours, the Pact for the Future – with its dedicated actions on Youth and Future Generations – was adopted unanimously by UN Member States. That achievement is yours . 

Today, we keep that momentum going.

As Leyla mentioned, the #YouthLead Dialogues are part of a global series of youth-driven, youth-focused conversations in the lead-up to the #YouthLead Festival this September – marking the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. What we discuss here will feed directly into that global dialogue in New York.

This will be an intergenerational conversation – that’s why some of our UN Heads of Agencies are here with us. We want to listen, exchange ideas, challenge each other, and imagine better systems together – ones that truly work for all generations.

I want to close with the words of the UN Secretary-General from this year’s International Youth Day: “To every young person: your voice, ideas, and leadership matter.”

They matter here. They matter now. And I can’t wait to hear them today.

Thank you – and let’s get started!