Towards a 2025 UN summit on youth

The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people. Kailash Satyarthi, Indian social reformer and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Defining Youth

There is no universally agreed definition of the youth age group. For statistical purposes, the United Nations defines "youth" as individuals between the ages of 15 and 24. This definition emerged during preparations for the International Youth Year, celebrated in 1985 under the motto Participation, Development, Peace.

Today, there are approximately 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24, accounting for 16% of the global population. By 2030-the target year for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda-the global youth population is projected to rise to nearly 1.3 billion.

In Asia, youth represent about 19% of the total population, with over 60% of the world's young people residing in the Asia-Pacific region. This equates to more than 750 million young women and men aged 15 to 24.

Recent developments

The most recent UN document on youth, Youth and Human Rights, was adopted by consensus in the Human Rights Council on 11 October 2024. This resolution was negotiated within the Council, which comprises 47 member states, each serving a specific term. Below is the current composition of the Council by regional groupings, with the year of term expiry in parentheses:

• African States: Algeria (2025); Benin (2024); Burundi (2026); Cameroon (2024); Côte d'Ivoire (2026); Eritrea (2024); Gambia (2024); Ghana (2026); Malawi (2026); Morocco (2025); Somalia (2024); South Africa (2025); Sudan (2025)
• Asia-Pacific States: Bangladesh (2025); China (2026); India (2024); Indonesia (2026); Japan (2026); Kazakhstan (2024); Kuwait (2026); Kyrgyzstan (2025); Malaysia (2024); Maldives (2025); Qatar (2024); United Arab Emirates (2024); Vietnam (2025)
• Eastern European States: Albania (2026); Bulgaria (2026); Georgia (2025); Lithuania (2024); Montenegro (2024); Romania (2025)
• Latin American & Caribbean States: Argentina (2024); Brazil (2026); Chile (2025); Costa Rica (2025); Cuba (2026); Dominican Republic (2026); Honduras (2024); Paraguay (2024)
• Western European & Other States: Belgium (2025); Finland (2024); France (2026); Germany (2025); Luxembourg (2024); Netherlands (Kingdom of the) (2026); United States of America (2024).

It is worth noting that Australia served on the Council from 2018 to 2020. On 9 October 2024, Thailand was elected to the Council for a three-year term, starting on 1 January 2025.

The 2025 UN Summit on Youth announced in the resolution under consideration represents a vital opportunity to harness the energy and potential of young people worldwide. It seeks to reaffirm their role in driving sustainable development and promoting human rights on a global scale. For authenticity we reproduce in toto the paragraph by which the Human Rights Council "Welcomes the decision of the General Assembly to convene a one-day high-level plenary meeting of the Assembly, at the level of Heads of State and Government and with the full and effective participation of youth, during the general debate of the eightieth session of the Assembly, in 2025, to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the

World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, with a view to addressing the challenges still faced by young people in the realization of their full potential and human rights."

An inspiring synthesis

The resolution Youth and Human Rights stands out as a comprehensive synthesis of the UN's current stance on youth issues. Through its extensive preamble and 19 operative paragraphs, the resolution encapsulates the most pressing concerns and actionable recommendations, offering a blueprint for continuity in the organization's work on youth matters. This diplomatic document provides timely guidance to all 193 UN Member States, setting a global agenda for empowering young people.

The preamble references major UN legal instruments on human rights, alongside relevant resolutions on youth adopted in the 21st century. Notably, it highlights the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, which offers a robust policy framework and practical guidelines for improving the lives of young people through national and international efforts.

Particular attention is given to the World Conferences of Ministers Responsible for Youth, held in Lisbon in August 1998 and June 2019. These conferences produced relevant declarations emphasizing youth empowerment and the commitment to uphold the human rights of all young people, especially those in vulnerable situations. They also underscored the importance of creating indicators to assess the impact of youth policies and programs.

The preamble's first direct appeal urges states to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasizing strategies that ensure young people, including those in vulnerable circumstances, can participate fully and meaningfully in society. This includes involvement in decision-making processes across political, economic, social, and cultural domains, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda's implementation.

Memorable actions and initiatives

The resolution highlights several notable actions and initiatives, including:

• The panel discussion "Young People's Engagement with Climate Change and Global Environmental Decision-Making Processes", held during the 54th session of the Human Rights Council in September 2023.
• A report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on promoting digital education for young people and safeguarding them from online threats.
• The establishment of the United Nations Youth Office, which integrates the Office of the Envoy on Youth, emphasizing youth as a cross-cutting priority for the UN.
• The World Programme for Human Rights Education (2020–2024), with a focus on youth.
• The Youth 2030 Strategy, launched in September 2018, as a tool for youth empowerment and advancing human rights.
• Inputs from global events like the World Youth Forums (2017–2023) and the Human Rights 75 Youth Declaration, which calls for the meaningful participation of youth in public affairs and UN human rights mechanisms.

Addressing challenges and inequalities

The resolution underscores the vital role youth play in promoting peace, security, sustainable development, and human rights. It stresses the importance of their active, inclusive, and safe participation in decision-making processes.

However, it does not shy away from highlighting negative realities. It emphasizes the need to empower young people to achieve sustainable development, noting that in 2023 global youth unemployment stood at 13.3%, compared to 3.9% for adults. The resolution reaffirms commitments under the 2030 Agenda to reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training and to develop a global strategy for youth employment.

The resolution calls on Member States to combat all forms of discrimination, neglect, and violence against young people, including gender-based violence. It stresses the importance of removing barriers to social integration and ensuring young people's full and safe participation in all aspects of societal development.

Confronting digital and educational inequalities

The preamble concludes by addressing contemporary challenges faced by the younger generation. It highlights barriers such as the digital divide, which disproportionately affects youth in rural and remote areas, exacerbating educational and social inequalities. The resolution expresses concern over the significant obstacles faced by young persons with disabilities, including discrimination and lack of access to adaptive technologies, jeopardizing their right to equitable education.

Furthermore, it draws attention to the persistent gender digital divide, particularly affecting women and girls in rural areas, limiting their access to digital education and skills, and perpetuating gender inequalities. Lastly, it raises concerns about gaps in legal and regulatory frameworks that fail to protect young people's personal data amid growing cybersecurity threats, exposing them to potential privacy violations.

In sum, Youth and Human Rights is a forward-looking document, offering a roadmap for empowering young people and ensuring their rights are upheld in an increasingly complex world.

New actions and initiatives

This programmatic resolution introduces several elements not previously addressed in UN documents on youth. From its 19 operative paragraphs, the following points stand out:

• Recognition of New Efforts:
  The resolution welcomes the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on youth and recalls the High Commissioner's report, emphasizing recommendations for strengthening the promotion and protection of young people's rights.
• Key Areas of Focus:
  The document underscores the critical importance of equal opportunities, education (including digital literacy), and lifelong learning. These are seen as essential for realizing the full spectrum of human rights for young people.
• Upcoming Milestone:
  The UN General Assembly decided to convene a one-day Summit plenary meeting during its 80th session in 2025. This event, involving Heads of State and Government and the effective participation of youth is meant to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth and address persisting challenges in realizing the full potential and rights of young people.

Legal and political commitments for Member States

Several significant tasks are outlined for member states, including:

• Political participation:
  The resolution highlights the low participation of youth in political institutions such as parliaments, political parties, and public administrations. States are urged to collaborate with youth-led organizations to foster meaningful participation in decision-making across political, economic, social, and cultural spheres, especially in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Combatting discrimination:
  Member states are called to eliminate all forms of discrimination against youth, including those based on age, gender, race, disability, and other statuses.
• Freedom of expression and digital rights:
  Governments are encouraged to ensure a safe environment for youth participation, protecting their rights to freedom of opinion, peaceful assembly, and expression. Particular attention is given to safeguarding these rights in the digital space and equipping youth with digital literacy skills to navigate online environments safely.

Emerging objectives and priorities

The resolution also emphasizes several recent and pressing objectives:

Harnessing Technology:

• Recognizing the potential of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, the resolution encourages states to ensure young people can safely access and benefit from digital tools while protecting them from online threats.
• Human rights education:
  States and stakeholders are urged to develop human rights education initiatives tailored to youth, aligned with the World Programme for Human Rights Education.
• Gender equality and empowerment:
  The resolution calls on states to combat gender stereotypes and violence against girls and young women, both online and offline. It underscores the importance of engaging men and boys as allies in promoting gender equality.
• Inclusion of disadvantaged youth:
  Special attention is given to young persons with disabilities, advocating for their equal access to employment, education, and inclusive infrastructure. The resolution emphasizes their active participation in public and private life.

Coordinated youth policies and monitoring

In a novel provision, the resolution encourages states to develop integrated, participatory youth policies through consultations with youth and relevant stakeholders. These policies should align with the World Programme of Action for Youth and the 2030 Agenda, with a commitment to regular evaluation.

Role of international mechanisms and collaboration

• Human rights monitoring:
  States are encouraged to address youth rights through the Universal Periodic Review and treaty bodies, sharing best practices in this area.
• UN collaboration:
  The resolution highlights the importance of cooperation between UN bodies, particularly the Human Rights Council, and the UN Youth Office to ensure the effective implementation of the United Nations Youth Strategy.

Future initiatives and studies

• Biennial Panel Discussion:
  The next panel discussion at the 60th session of the Human Rights Council will focus on youth's role in fostering peaceful societies and advancing human rights. The Office of the High Commissioner will prepare a summary report based on consultations with youth organizations.
• Mental health study:
  The resolution requests a comprehensive study on the impact of mental health challenges on young people's enjoyment of human rights, to be presented at the Council's 63rd session.

Looking Ahead

The resolution concludes with a decision to keep the agenda item "Youth and Human Rights" under continuous review. Meanwhile, the preparation of the diplomatic and organizational groundwork for the 2025 UN Summit on Youth will demand substantial efforts on all continents.