UN Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi remarks on International Youth Day 2022.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

We are meeting today to commemorate the International Day of Youth under the theme Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages. This Day is especially important for young Sierra Leoneans as collectively, they represent an asset, a potential, that must be fully tapped to meet the country’s aspirations for durable peace and sustainable development.

The unprecedented circumstances that started on Wednesday, 10 August, have shocked and disturbed us.  On behalf of the United Nations Sierra Leone, I offer our sincere condolences to the Government of Sierra Leone and to the families affected by the loss of life and injuries that occurred. The UN continues to call for calm and continued engagement in a peaceful and tranquil manner to address the issues and challenges facing Sierra Leone.

The International Youth Day message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reminds us of a basic truth, “we need people of all ages, young and old alike, to join forces to build a better world for all.” I cannot agree more.

In the Sierra Leonean context, whether it was the civil war, the Ebola outbreak, mudslides, flooding, COVID-19, or general hardship due to global crises, these issues have affected every spectrum of society. However, I may hastily say, the youth suffered the most. We must therefore make concerted efforts to bring the youth to the table and not shut them out. At the same time, older people must not be denied the chance to share the wisdom they have learned over the years. Everyone deserves to be heard—young and old alike.

It is for this reason, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, that the UN Country Team is setting up a Youth Advisory Panel of diverse young voices to advise us in our efforts to support the Government’s Medium Term National Development Plan, which speaks to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and our collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda. 

In my two years of working in Sierra Leone and having travelled in most parts of the country interacting with the youth, I see a nation with so much untapped potential waiting to blossom. They are hungry for knowledge and the opportunity to prove themselves without us thinking for them and telling them what to do. I have interacted with vibrant young Ministers and Members of Parliaments. I am sure that if given the opportunity, more young people will emerge into leadership positions.

According to the UN Secretary-General, solidarity and collaboration are more essential than ever, “as our world faces a series of challenges that threaten our collective future.”

Therefore, the youth must be placed at the front and centre of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. These are two pieces of a pod. They go hand in hand. Much will be achieved if we unite efforts to support their aspirations and, of course, with the implicit involvement of us, the older folks.

Finally, as we commemorate the day, we must also not lose sight of consequential issues like climate change, poverty, discrimination and gender inequality if we want to achieve a better world for all, especially young people. Let’s expand opportunities for young people to participate in civil and political life. Sierra Leone will be a much better place.

The voices of the youth must be part of a positive construct for a better Sierra Leone, and no one should be left behind in efforts to deliver on this agenda.

I thank you.