UN Day commemorated

At the event held in the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), UN Assistant Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, delivered message of the UN Secretary-General. 

In today’s troubled world, hope is not enough. 

Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity and a thriving planet. 

Hope requires all countries working as one. 

Hope requires the United Nations. 

On United Nations Day, I call on all countries to keep this beacon for the world, and its ideals, shining."

Two youth representatives, Kiburan Kibret Demisse and Amen Frew Messele, who represented Ethiopia at the Summit of the Future held in September 2024 in New York, also delivered their messages to participants of the commemoration.

Kiburan in his statement called for more efforts to ensure youth engagement in decision-making at all levels. “Despite our energy, creativity, and potential, youth often find themselves underrepresented in decision making processes that affect their future, our future. This is a missed opportunity—not only for us the youth only but for all of us.”

“Youth engagement is not a matter of opportunity but is a necessity. If we are to build a world that is just, inclusive, and peaceful, the voices of young people must be heard at the table of global discussions,” said Kiburan.

Speaking at the event, Amen noted the challenges facing Ethiopian youth due to conflicts and called on Ethiopian government, the UN, CSOs and stakeholders to include youth in peace-building processes

“We need to go beyond symbolic gestures. For peace to be sustainable, young people must be genuinely empowered to shape the decisions that directly impact our lives. We must have the tools, support, and platforms to rebuild our communities, advocate for justice, and participate in shaping a peaceful and inclusive future. And yet, for many, these opportunities still feel out of reach,” she said.