Distinguished guests, young leaders, dear colleagues and friends,
Thank you for this special recognition.
It is a privilege to stand here with the Big Six Youth Organizations and so many inspiring young leaders.
The Global Youth Mobilization was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, when young people faced disrupted education, lost livelihoods, and uncertainty.
With WHO’s support through the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the Global Youth Mobilization project helped young leaders launch initiatives worldwide that delivered real solutions for their communities.
We funded over 640 projects, engaged 600 000 young people, and reached an estimated 3.6 million people across more than 125 countries.
These projects helped improve lives in communities, and in the process, helped demonstrate that young people are change-makers.
Thanks to the generous support of the European Commission, the Global Youth Mobilization has been able to expand its work and reach.
WHO is proud to be part of this project that empowers youth - especially those from marginalized and underrepresented communities - to lead on climate action, gender equality, education, and employment.
Our message is clear: investing in youth-led solutions builds healthier, fairer, and more resilient societies.
WHO stands with young people – through the Global Youth Mobilization, the WHO Youth Council, our many other youth initiatives.
I am deeply grateful to the Big Six, to our partners, and most importantly to the young people who remind us every day that change is possible.
Thank you once again for this honour.