Towards a 2025 UN summit on youth

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: