UAE Hosts Youth-Focused “Voices for 2045” Session at UN Sustainable Development Forum in New York
New York, The Gulf Observer: As part of the UAE delegation’s participation in the United Nations Sustainable Development Forum 2025, the General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted a youth-centric session titled “Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future” at the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations.
Organised in collaboration with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the session convened global youth leaders and members of the UN General Assembly’s Major Group for Children and Youth to envision a world beyond 2030. The event served as a platform to engage young participants in shaping the Extended Sustainable Development Goals (XDGs 2045)—a forward-looking global agenda introduced by the UAE at the 2023 World Governments Summit.
The dialogue-driven session encouraged youth to articulate their aspirations, propose innovative solutions, and address challenges to help build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future. Participants shared experiences and ideas across three thematic pillars: empathy, passion, and action.
Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, emphasised the UAE’s belief in youth as critical partners in development.
“The UAE firmly believes that youth are not merely beneficiaries of development pathways but essential partners in shaping and leading them towards the future,” Lootah stated. “This session reflects that belief by providing youth with a transparent and effective platform to express their visions and challenges.”
He added, “Shaping the vision of the post-2030 sustainable development agenda requires open dialogue, collective participation, and bold ideas that keep pace with global changes. It is not enough to listen to youth as inspirational voices; their visions must be treated as essential inputs in policy-making and prioritisation.”
Forty members from the UN Major Group for Children and Youth contributed diverse perspectives on the XDGs 2045 vision. Through an online survey, participants responded to key questions regarding their motivations, transformative goals, challenges, and proposed solutions. Their insights highlighted core priorities such as:
- Empowering youth in policy-making and strategic development processes
- Enhancing international cooperation and fostering innovation
- Ensuring universal access to quality education and healthcare
- Protecting the environment and natural resources for future generations
The UAE’s initiative aligns with its commitment to advancing the global SDG agenda and promoting the active involvement of youth in shaping future development frameworks.
The United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), established in 2012, remains the UN’s central platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda. The 2025 Forum includes in-depth reviews of five key SDGs:
- SDG 3: Good health and well-being
- SDG 5: Gender equality
- SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
- SDG 14: Life below water
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Through its continued engagement and forward-thinking initiatives, the UAE reiterates its commitment to inclusive, youth-driven development and sustainable global partnerships that extend well beyond 2030.
