• Our Common Agenda report sets out the UN Secretary General’s vision on the future of global cooperation and reinvigorating inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism. 
• Global Youth Mobilization welcomes commitments on strengthening youth representation in decision-making, urgent action to protect and deliver global goals on climate change, peace and public health, eradicating violence against women and girls and proposal to establish a new UN Youth Office.
• Young people from across the Big 6 youth organisations and Global Youth Mobilization influenced the outcomes of the report.

The Global Youth Mobilization and its Big 6 youth development partners welcome the publication of an important report on the future of our planet. Our Common Agenda looks ahead to the next 25 years and represents the Secretary-General’s vision on the future of global cooperation and reinvigorating inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism.

The report comes at a critical time for young people and the health of our planet. Covid-19 and the impact of measures to control the virus threaten the prospects and future opportunities for future generations. Education disruption, employment loss, a crisis in mental health and increased gender-based violence are just some of the challenges young people are grappling with currently, and which have the potential to leave long-term negative impact.

The actions and policies over the coming years of the UN, other inter-government organisations and governments will be fundamental to helping to reverse these threats.

This is why Our Common Agenda is so important. It represents an opportunity to change the direction of travel and to harness the power, energy and creativity of young people to help combat the biggest challenges – from climate change, peace and security to public health.

The Global Youth Mobilization is calling on the UN, governments, businesses and civil society  to recognise the need to come together and to protect the rights and interests of future generations by delivering on the recommendation set out in the report. We call on member states to work with UN agencies and civil society to deliver on the commitments to strengthen youth representation in decision-making, urgent action to protect and deliver global goals on climate change, peace and public health, eradicating violence against women and girls and the proposed upgrade to UN institutions, including a new United Nations Youth Office.

Commenting on the report, Ahmad Alhendawi, Chair of the Global Youth Mobilization Board and Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement said:

“The Our Common Agenda report is an important step in rebuilding a better, greener and more inclusive world. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted a generation of young people. Millions of young people have had their education and employment prospects severely impacted; inequalities have widened, and climate change has never been more of a threat to our shared prosperity.

We therefore welcome the Secretary General’s report and recommendations. In particular, we look forward to working with UN agencies, member states and civil society partners to ensure more meaningful, diverse and effective representation of young people in our institutions and that the new UN Youth Office is representative and accountable to the needs of young people.”

ENDS