UN official calls on youth to contribute to global development

The UN Secretary-General's envoy on youth Ahmad Alhendawi called on young people to contribute to global development Tuesday, highlighting their critical role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The envoy, in China since Monday for a week-long visit, made the remarks while meeting the press in Beijing on Tuesday.

At the invitation of the All-China Youth Federation, Alhendawi is leading a delegation from the International Labor Organization, UNESCO, the UN Environment Programme, UN Habitat, the UN Population Fund and UN Volunteers.

The visit will explore youth development in China, and discuss UN cooperation with the All-China Youth Federation and other organizations in China.

According to the UN, there are 1.8 billion young people aged 10-24 in the world. Statistics from the UNFPA showed China has the world's second largest population of young people, 20 percent of the country's total population.

"Youth have been the driving force of advancing the economy and social development in China," the envoy said, adding that Chinese youth are important for China and also for the world.

According to the office of the UN resident coordinator in China, the delegation will participate in a town hall meeting with young people to gauge their views on the sustainable development goals. They will also travel to Shandong Province to visit youth entrepreneurship schemes.

The delegation will conclude the visit in Shanghai where they will meet with students from the Shanghai International Studies University and visit a youth center that provides HIV testing and counselling. Endi