Secretary-Basic António Guterres stated empowering younger folks in a good and hopeful world reaffirms the UN promise that each particular person has the suitable to make knowledgeable selections about their lives and futures.
Whereas many younger folks face financial uncertainty, gender inequality, well being challenges, the local weather disaster and a spike in conflicts – they’re nonetheless main with braveness, conscience and readability, “calling for programs that uphold their rights and assist their selections,” he stated in his message.
“Let’s hearken to what younger folks need and assist them in exercising their rights, making their very own selections and having fun with a hopeful future,” stated Natalia Kanem, Director of the UN sexual and reproductive rights company, formally referred to as the UN Inhabitants Fund (UNFPA).
An inclusive future
“Younger individuals are not simply interested by their future youngsters – they’re interested by the world these youngsters will inherit,” one youth activist informed UNFPA.
Mr. Guterres urged international locations to spend money on insurance policies that may guarantee younger folks have entry to training, healthcare, and selling the safety of reproductive rights.
“Allow us to stand with younger folks and construct a future the place each particular person can form their future in a world that’s honest, peaceable and filled with hope,” he stated.
2025 award winners
Every year, the Committee for the UN Inhabitants Award honours a person and/or establishment in recognition of excellent contributions to inhabitants and reproductive well being questions and to their options.
On this World Inhabitants Day, the 2025 recipients have been recognised for his or her groundbreaking work in empowering girls and addressing important challenges dealing with demographic progress.
The winner within the particular person class, Varshan Deshpande who based Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, tirelessly works to empower girls on the group degree in India, by constructing vocational expertise, connecting them to important assets and providers, and fostering monetary independence.
The winner within the institutional class, the Worldwide Union for the Scientific Research of Inhabitants (IUSSP), has performed a pivotal function in advancing inhabitants science and coverage, notably by serving to set up regional inhabitants associations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Watch our interview with Natalia Kanem who’s stepping down as UNFPA’s Director after greater than eight years.
