Empowering Young People for a Sustainable Future

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, celebrated World Population Day by highlighting the crucial role young people play in shaping the future. Amidst economic uncertainty, inequality, and environmental crises, young people are driving change with courage and clarity, demanding a world that is just, inclusive, and sustainable. As the UN chief emphasized, empowering young people in a fair and hopeful world reaffirms the UN's promise to every individual the right to make informed choices about their lives and futures. Natalia Kanem, Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), echoed this sentiment, urging support for young people in exercising their rights and making their own choices.

Key Takeaways:

• Young people are leading the charge towards a sustainable and equitable future, demanding a world that is just, inclusive, and sustainable.
• Despite facing numerous challenges, young people are showing courage and clarity in calling for systems that uphold their rights and support their choices.
• The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, urged countries to invest in policies that provide young people with access to education, healthcare, and reproductive rights.
• The winners of the 2025 UN Population Award, Varshan Deshpande and the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP), were recognized for their groundbreaking work in empowering women and addressing demographic growth challenges.
• The UNFPA's Director, Natalia Kanem, is stepping down after nearly nine years of service, leaving behind a legacy of empowering young people and promoting reproductive rights.

Statistics:

• 2025: The year in which the UN Population Award winners were recognized for their outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health questions.
• 8 years: The length of time Natalia Kanem served as the UNFPA's Director.
• 50%: The percentage of the world's population under the age of 25[1].
• 2030: The year by which the UN hopes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Sources:

• United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, message on World Population Day.
• Natalia Kanem, Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), statement on World Population Day.
• UN Population Fund (UNFPA), 2025 Award recipients announcement.
• United Nations, The future we want: Outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development.