This year’s Day is about turning the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into reality. The Day will focus on the leading role young people play in eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development through sustainable consumption and production.
The UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has a strong focus on sustainability which is also promoted through its Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) programme.
For example, earlier this year, ACE shared a series of real-world success stories that have helped raise awareness and mobilized action on climate change and sustainability.
Youth groups represent the next generation which needs to be fully engaged in sustainable paths of development and in the climate change debate.
Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty.
That said, many young people continue to face barriers to making green choices. These barriers include the high prices of goods and services and lack of information about what options are available.
“I invite governments, foundations, civil society organizations, and the youth movement to mark the day by highlighting the positive contributions of youth in development and by pledging to engage with youth as partners in the implementation of the SDGs,” said the UN Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi ahead of the event.
By focusing on the social development dimensions of sustainable consumption and production, this year’s theme emphasizes a cross-sectoral approach to sustainability and the social, political, economic and environmental interlinkages needed to achieve it.
For facts and figures about SDG goal 12, see here.
About International Youth Day
In 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the General Assembly declared August 12 International Youth Day, which gives an opportunity to celebrate young peoples’ views and initiatives. Celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters and around the world will recognize the importance of youth efforts, collaboration and participation in the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and in particular the role of young people in ensuring poverty eradication and achieving sustainable development through sustainable production and consumption. Events to celebrate International Youth Day 2016 will take place all over the world.
About UNFCCC’s Action for Climate Empowerment
UNFCCC acts for youth empowerment through its Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), which implements article 6 of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. ACE promotes youth action all over the over the world and organizes youth events before and during UNFCCC conferences. The upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) in Marrakech will be a particularly rich in youth events, including for example the youth conference “COY12”. COP22 will also feature the winners of the Global Youth Video Competition on Climate Change.
Source: United Nations | 11 August 2016
