10 June 2015 - Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, chaired two discussion panels during the High Level Event of the General Assembly Marking the 20th Anniversary of the World Program of Action for Youth (WPAY) held at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York last May 29.
The 1995 World Program of Action for Youth provided a blueprint for action at the national and international levels to enhance the situation of youth everywhere.
The first panel discussion with the theme “Stocktaking of the past 20 years since the adoption of WPAY” mentioned that youth development programs must be complemented by a credible means of implementation including funding support especially for youth-led organizations and that data collection should capture not only numbers but also perceptions and attitudes. In the second panel discussion on the “Role of WPAY looking ahead”, the panelists shared success stories on youth policies and causes which are making a tangible difference in young people’s lives. They expressed their desire to see more sustained strategic partnerships and synergy among stakeholders in tapping contributions of the youth, especially in building and keeping the peace in conflict areas, food security and in decision making at the national level and at the United Nations.
In her closing remarks, Ambassador Yparraguirre acknowledged that WPAY continues to provide an important blueprint for action on a national and international levels. She concluded that there are clear synergies to the post-2015 development agenda. These synergies are important because there can be no sustainable development without the inclusion, involvement and empowerment of the youth. Young people must be engaged in national development planning, as well as in drafting and implementation of the SDGS to ensure their sustainability and continued relevance.
Present at the event were Acting President of the UN General Assembly and Portuguese Permanent Representative to the UN, Alvaro Jose de Mendonca e Moura; UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi; 17 Ministers of Youth; and youth representatives. END