Chapter 4: Youth and Future Generations
Action 34 - We will invest in the social and economic development of children and young people so that they can reach their full potential.
Sub-Action Initiative
Indicator and Target
Baseline Data
Sub-Action (a) Scale up investment from all sources in essential services for young people and ensure that their specific needs and priorities are integrated in national, regional and international development strategies, ensure that services are accessible to all young persons and invite the Secretary-General to update Member States on the proposal for a Global Youth Investment Platform to attract and better finance youth-related programming at the country level;
(a4) Specific needs and priorities [of young people] are integrated in international development strategies
Increase in # and/or % of UN entities that maintain youth participation and youth programs
Increase in integration of young people’s priorities in international development strategies
In 2023, 97% (32 of 33) of UN entities established partnerships and/or funded innovations on youth to address challenges across sustainable development, human rights, peace and security, and humanitarian action.
In 2023, 76% (38 of 50) of UN entities incorporated priorities of youth in their strategic planning processes and instruments.
Sub-Action (d) Create decent jobs and livelihoods for youth, especially in developing countries and particularly for young women and young people in vulnerable situations, while dismantling inequalities in the care economy, and establish and ensure young people’s access to universal, adequate, comprehensive, sustainable and nationally owned social protection systems;
(d1) Create decent jobs and livelihoods for youth, especially in developing countries
Decrease in developing country youth “Not in Employment, Education and Training” rate
In 2023, the global “Not in employment, education, or training” youth rate of 20.4% was exceeded in Sub-Saharan Africa at 21.9%, and the Middle East and North Africa at 24.4%.
Action 35 - We will promote, protect and respect the human rights of all young people and foster social inclusion and integration.
Sub-Action Initiative
Indicator and Target
Baseline Data
Sub-Action (c) Address the challenges faced by all young women and girls, including by combating gender stereotypes and negative social norms and eliminating discrimination, harassment, all forms of violence against young women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence, and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage;
(c3) Eliminating harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage
SDG 5.3.2 [Decrease] Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation
SDG 5.3.1 [Decrease] Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18
As of 2024, an estimated 230 million girls and women worldwide had undergone FGM—a 15% increase, or 30 million more, compared to 8 years ago.
In 2023, an estimated 640 million girls under age 18 were married globally—1 in 5 girls (or 19%)—down from 1 in 4 in 2000.
Sub-Action (d) Enhance inclusion and eliminate all barriers that hinder young persons with disabilities from attaining and maintaining maximum autonomy, independence and full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life and invest in assistive technologies that can promote their full, effective and meaningful participation in society;
(d1) Enhance inclusion and eliminate all barriers that hinder young persons with disabilities
Reduce barriers to assistive technology among young persons with disabilities
Increase accessible education for young persons with disabilities
Data specific to young persons with disabilities is currently unavailable. Globally, high costs, low availability, and lack of support are the most common barriers to accessing assistive products, which are predominantly obtained through the private sector with out-of-pocket payments or family support.
In 2021, out-of-school rates for children with disabilities ranged from 19%-36% at the primary level, 28%-36% at lower-secondary level, and 43%-59% at upper-secondary level.
Action 37 - We will strengthen meaningful youth participation at the international level.
Sub-Action Initiative
Indicator and Target
Baseline Data
Sub-Action (b) Encourage the inclusion of youth, including youth delegates, in national delegations to the United Nations;
(b1) Encourage the inclusion of youth, including youth delegates, in national delegations to the United Nations
Increase the % or # of UN system initiatives that include youth engagement mechanisms
Increase the % or # of youth participation within the UN system
In 2023, 57% (75 of 131) of UN Country Teams had in place two or more youth engagement policies and processes.
In 2023, 80% (105 of 132) of UN Country Teams included youth in joint communication and advocacy plans.
Sub-Action (d) Request the Secretary-General to continue to develop core principles, in consultation with Member States and young people, for meaningful, representative, inclusive and safe youth engagement in relevant intergovernmental processes and across the work of the United Nations, for the consideration of Member States;
(d1) Request the SecretaryGeneral to continue to develop core principles, in consultation with Member States and young people
Report from the Secretary-General to develop core principles for youth engagement, in consultation with Member States and young people
UN Secretary-General Report on core principles for youth engagement anticipated in September 2025.