emirates7 - As part of the UAE delegation’s involvement in the United Nations Sustainable Development Forum 2025—organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs—the General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held a youth-focused session titled “Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future.”
Hosted at the UAE’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the event gathered young leaders and global influencers, including representatives from the UN General Assembly’s Major Group for Children and Youth.
This session aimed to empower youth by involving them in shaping the world beyond 2030 and contributing to the future of sustainable development. It offered a platform for young participants to share their aspirations and ideas around the Extended Sustainable Development Goals (XDGs 2045), a global framework for inclusive progress first proposed at the 2023 World Governments Summit.
The initiative encouraged collaboration among youth leaders, providing space for them to exchange experiences and contribute ideas to build a more equitable and resilient future.
Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, highlighted the UAE’s firm belief in youth as active partners in development, not just beneficiaries.
He explained that the session embodies this belief by offering youth a meaningful platform to voice their ideas and challenges. Lootah stressed that shaping the post-2030 sustainable agenda demands open dialogue, collective input, and bold thinking in tune with global transformations. He added that youth perspectives should not be limited to inspiration but must be integral to policy-making and strategic planning.
The session saw the participation of 40 youth members from the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, who brought forward diverse views aligned with the XDGs 2045 vision. Discussions revolved around three core values—empathy, passion, and action—highlighting the critical role of youth in driving positive global change.
Participants also responded to an online survey, offering insights into their motivations, transformative goals, barriers they encounter, and potential solutions to amplify youth impact on sustainable development.
Their responses underscored several priorities:
Actively involving youth in shaping policies and strategies,
Enhancing global cooperation and fostering innovation,
Ensuring universal access to high-quality education and healthcare,
And preserving the environment and natural resources for future generations.
This session exemplifies the UAE’s strong commitment to global SDG efforts and its dedication to empowering youth as essential contributors to a more inclusive, sustainable future by 2045.
The United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the UN’s primary platform for sustainability, continues to evaluate global progress toward the 2030 Agenda. Established in 2012, the Forum reviews countries’ efforts, focusing in 2025 on five key goals:
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.
Hosted at the UAE’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the event gathered young leaders and global influencers, including representatives from the UN General Assembly’s Major Group for Children and Youth.
This session aimed to empower youth by involving them in shaping the world beyond 2030 and contributing to the future of sustainable development. It offered a platform for young participants to share their aspirations and ideas around the Extended Sustainable Development Goals (XDGs 2045), a global framework for inclusive progress first proposed at the 2023 World Governments Summit.
The initiative encouraged collaboration among youth leaders, providing space for them to exchange experiences and contribute ideas to build a more equitable and resilient future.
Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, highlighted the UAE’s firm belief in youth as active partners in development, not just beneficiaries.
He explained that the session embodies this belief by offering youth a meaningful platform to voice their ideas and challenges. Lootah stressed that shaping the post-2030 sustainable agenda demands open dialogue, collective input, and bold thinking in tune with global transformations. He added that youth perspectives should not be limited to inspiration but must be integral to policy-making and strategic planning.
The session saw the participation of 40 youth members from the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, who brought forward diverse views aligned with the XDGs 2045 vision. Discussions revolved around three core values—empathy, passion, and action—highlighting the critical role of youth in driving positive global change.
Participants also responded to an online survey, offering insights into their motivations, transformative goals, barriers they encounter, and potential solutions to amplify youth impact on sustainable development.
Their responses underscored several priorities:
Actively involving youth in shaping policies and strategies,
Enhancing global cooperation and fostering innovation,
Ensuring universal access to high-quality education and healthcare,
And preserving the environment and natural resources for future generations.
This session exemplifies the UAE’s strong commitment to global SDG efforts and its dedication to empowering youth as essential contributors to a more inclusive, sustainable future by 2045.
The United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the UN’s primary platform for sustainability, continues to evaluate global progress toward the 2030 Agenda. Established in 2012, the Forum reviews countries’ efforts, focusing in 2025 on five key goals:
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.