Sharm El-Sheikh – Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi opened the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum in his country saying: “For the good, our meeting, in the name of God, we begin, and for the future we work.”
The Egyptian president explained that the forum has become a platform for exchanging dialogue and communication between young people and a tool for exchanging visions among all the world, especially at this defining moment in human history that makes us realize the inevitability of dialogue.
He also stressed “the importance of managing differences and forming a state of certainty and belief that Allah’s wisdom and secret in this universe is difference without discrimination,” considering that the sincerity of intentions is the only way to end conflicts and manage differences.
The 4th edition of the World Youth Forum is held under the slogan “Back Together,” with the participation of young people from 196 countries from Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and South America. It will last until January 13.
The forum started with a video presentation, followed by speeches by Sarah Badr of Egypt, Isaac Buma of Gana, and Rehab Ayyash of Tunisia.
United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres, said that the mental health crisis has greatly affected young people, but that youth around the world are demanding equality, peace and justice. “Young people have provided ideas and solutions that help local communities to rebuild and emerge from the pandemic in a stronger state,” Guterres added.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, president of the World Health Organization (WHO), said that most of the world’s population consists of young people under the age of 30. He added: “The future is in their hands, and before them are the challenges of today and tomorrow, including climate change, pollution, health and others.
“Although young people have not been affected much by the pandemic, there are sectors that have been affected, such as health, education and jobs, and therefore we have to make 2022 the year of eliminating the pandemic, directing growth and progress, achieving sustainable development goals and building young people so that they have a pivotal role in building communities.”
President of the World Bank Group, David Malpass, asserted that the bank is committed to creating spaces for exchanging ideas with youth, especially in pressing issues facing new generations. He highlighted youths’ important role in ending poverty, fostering gender equality, and leading the development march.
He noted that the world risks losing USD 70 trillion in global GDP as a result of school closures. “About one million people in the Middle East and North Africa will demand job opportunities by 2050,” he said.
The World Youth Forum is an annual global event, and this year’s edition is taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai. The forum aims to promote youth dialogue and send a message of peace and prosperity from Egypt to the world. The UN Commission for Social Development announced the agenda for the forum’s fourth edition, which will cover the new reality of life after the pandemic, as well as peace, creativity and development issues.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
