Secretary-General Says ‘Young People Deserve to Be Heard’ in Video Message to Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the 134th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), taking place in Lusaka from 19 to 23 March:
Your Excellency Mr. Edgar Lungu, President of Zambia, Right Honourable Justice Patrick Matibini, Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Saber Chowdhury, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Honourable Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Honourable Speakers of Parliament, distinguished parliamentarians, special guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased to send greetings to this important Assembly. Your theme, “rejuvenating democracy, giving voice to youth”, echoes my conviction that young people deserve to be heard.
The world has its largest generation of youth in history — 1.8 billion strong.
They face high unemployment, violent conflict and recruitment by drug traffickers or violent extremists. Youth are good enough to fight wars but they rarely have the power to make peace.
This is unjust.That is why I constantly call on leaders to listen to young people. Parliaments must represent their interests.
Youth can be decisive in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on climate change and the cause of peace.
I count on your Assembly to forge plans for youth to build our common future.
Thank you.