Opening remark of the International Youth Day 12 August 2020

Distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Xin chao, good afternoon everyone!

On behalf of the United Nations in Viet Nam, I would like to welcome everyone to the virtual dialogue on the International Youth Day 2020 in Viet Nam with the theme “Viet Nam we want in 2030: Youth act for clean environment”. We may not be able to connect with all 28 million youth and adolescents in the country today, but we are trying our best today to reach out to as many of you as we can.

Dear friends,

The objective of this years’ International Youth Day, jointly organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the United Nations, is to affirm the key role that Vietnamese youth have to play in providing solutions to issues related to climate change, environmental protection and plastic waste management. It is to hear more about your perspectives on the sustainable development path of Viet Nam.

I do not think I need to tell you we are living in a world that is facing some very complex challenges. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and extreme, more difficult to predict, and with stronger effects. Rising temperatures bring rising sea levels that pose grave threats to coastal cities and communities everywhere, and biodiversity loss endangers whole ecosystems.   And now, we understand only too well how health-related pandemics, themselves symptoms of biodiversity loss and our growing contact with pathogens once hidden in dark forests, make everything so much more complicated.

To be honest with you, the people of my generation have not done very well with these challenges, and we are leaving you a difficult legacy. But we also know as professionals - and as parents too - that you are uniquely talented, having grown up with technology and accustomed to rapid change. If there was ever a generation ready to face these challenges, to save the world, it is your generation.  We watch young people today demanding a role in the global dialogue on climate change and you are making your voices heard in the most inspiring ways. Today, we gather to recognize and support the initiative that young women and men already demonstrate every day in Viet Nam to protect the environment, raise awareness, and take actions in your communities and within your own families.

In this regard, I would like to welcome the impressive group of young students, volunteers, activists and entrepreneurs with us in the Green One UN House today and I would like to thank all of you who join the conversation through the virtual dialogue.

Dear friends,

The event today is symbolic of the ever-stronger partnership between the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the United Nations, united in our common belief that supporting youth empowerment in Viet Nam is one of the most important contributions we can make to the development of the nation. We want to continue hearing from you and to continue to work with you - our commitment to you is total and year-round, not just for a day. Together, we join hands for a more resilient and prosperous Viet Nam, where no one is left behind.

Today is your day. Enjoy and have a great celebration!

Xin cam on / Thank you