National Statement by H.E. Ms. Janine Alm Ericson, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation and Mr. Daniel Samuelsson, Swedish Youth Delegate to the UN 2021 at the virtual ECOSOC Youth Forum, 7 April 2021
Youth of the world,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
This year, Sweden is preparing its second Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
We have decided to put children and youth at the centre of our review process.
Why?
You, the children and youth are our future.
A quarter of the world's population today is between 10 and 24 years old.
We all know that you are most affected by the decisions made by today's older generations.
You are among the ones hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, schools closed, and jobs lost, but also the one affected by climate change the most.
For Sweden, young people's perspectives, their commitment and their innovations are of great importance for the implementation of 2030 Agenda.
The inclusion of children and young people should be based on the diversity of the population, the principle of leaving no one behind and the rights of the child.
Children and youth in Sweden are fortunate to grow up in peaceful and democratic conditions. We are very much aware that we have a strong starting position for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
However, we do have challenges. For example, unsustainable consumption and production. The consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions were 82 million tonnes in 2018. 57 percent of emissions occur in other countries. Moreover, the average person in Sweden produced 127 kg of food waste in 2018 if you look at the entire food chain. Hence, our ecological footprint is large, and we are acutely aware that we must address these challenges.
As part of our VNR-process, we have conducted an online survey and dialogues with youth. I’m very pleased to hand over to Daniel, one of our youth delegates, to share with you the voices of the Swedish youth.
Thank you Janine.
I speak on behalf of the Swedish Youth movement, composed of 86 democratic organizations and in which about 700 000 youths are engaged all over Sweden.
Top ranked issues for Swedish youth in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda are: environment and climate; gender equality and work against oppression and discrimination. Other important issues are inequality, access to food and clean water, democracy and education.
An overwhelming majority of Swedish youth believe that international cooperation is important for creating a peaceful, just and sustainable world.
To tackle challenges, we all need to become agents of change and we all need a seat at the table. Young and old we need to unite. We all need to become part of the 2030 Generation.
Thank you.