World organizations heads praise WYF’s opportunities to create better, healthier future

CAIRO – 10 January 2022: As the fourth edition of Egypt’s World Youth Forum kicks off Monday, with thousands of participants from around the world attending physically and virtually, a number of leaders of international organization made recorded messages on challenges facing youths and their constructive responsibility in facing them.  

In a recorded speech presented during the opening session of the WYF, President of the World Bank Group David Maplass thanked President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian state for the kind invitation, adding that there are a huge amount of challenges facing societies, and youth play an important role in eliminating poverty, promoting gender equality and leading development.

“The Corona pandemic led to an unprecedented disruption in our lives and work, and this crisis did not concern the Middle East and North Africa only, which has more youth among all parts of the year, but everyone, especially women, was greatly affected, with regard to job opportunities and participation in the labor market, and also Social inclusion also greatly affected the ability to deliver educational programs,” he said.

He continued: "In our December reports with UNESCO and UNICEF, we observed that this generation of students around the world risks losing $70 trillion in global GDP as a result of school closures due to the Corona pandemic, the biggest obstacle for young people to access opportunities.”

Malpass further advised of taking advantage of digital technology that enables young entrepreneurs to be productive and promote social inclusion.

In another recorded video, Tedros Adhanom, the head of the World Health Organization, said that the future is in the hands of the youths, who constitute most of the World’s population, adding there are many challenges facing them like: climate change, pollution, health and others, and WHO is always keen to support them.

"The World Youth Forum is a tremendous opportunity to exchange experiences...and create a better and healthier future...and together we work to build the future,” Adhanom said in his speech.

WHO head further highlighted the importance building young people as they have a pivotal role in building societies.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said that the mental health crisis has greatly affected young people, but at the same time young people have strengthened their efforts.

Guterres added, in a speech addressed to the World Youth Forum,: “Young people have provided ideas and solutions that help local communities on how to rebuild and get out of the pandemic in a stronger state.

He added that the topic of the youth conference reminds us that building a better future begins today, adding that he addresses leaders and policy makes to engage youths in achieving recovery in post-COVID time.

The forum is held under the slogan of ‘Back Together’, with the participation of young people from 196 countries in Sharm El-Sheikh. WYF activities are expected to take place until January 13.

The 2021’s WYF agenda includes number of vital topics, which reflect the features of the new reality after Coronavirus pandemic, that affected the lives of millions all over the world.

Participants at the 4th edition of WYF had the choice to participate in the opening session either physically or remotely via the virtual system due to COVID-19.