Giving Youth a Voice: UN Zambia Helps Convene African Youth Summit on the SDGs

As the world prepares for the 2023 SDG Summit in September, Zambia hosted 1,000 in-person youth participants from across Africa and hundreds of others joining virtually to lend their voice to accelerating progress on the Global Goals by 2030. Held from 15-17 August in the country’s capital city, Lusaka, the 5th African Youth SDGs Summit, also served as a platform for young people from Africa to share experiences and envision solutions for achieving the SDGs. The continental event was organised by a team of young people from the continent with the local organisers representing 2nd Door Zambia and Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia. 

The objectives of the summit included improving awareness and knowledge among the youth about the SDGs and their roles in the implementation, review and accountability process; and discussing the mechanisms and strategies for localizing the SDGs and ensuring greater ownership by the youth. Others were to develop new and strengthen existing youth networks to engage and monitor the implementation of SDGs and to advocate for effective participation of African Youth in SDG programmes affecting them.

Led by the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), UN agencies in Zambia that form part of the Government of the Republic of Zambia-UN Joint Programme on Youth, namely the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) provided technical and financial support to the summit. Further, the agencies held side events on key issues around youth engagement and the SDGs.

As part of the opening ceremony, participants heard from Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth who, in her virtual address, called for meaningful youth involvement in actions for the SDGs.

“Today’s young generation simply cannot afford to wait. We are at an inflection point in history, the halfway mark to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and get us back on track to building a better world that leaves no one behind….It is time for decision makers everywhere to urgently make greater investments in youth,” said Wickramanayake.

In a show of support, UN Resident Coordinator in Zambia Beatrice Mutali noted the pivotal role of youth in ensuring sustainable development. In a speech read on her behalf by UNDP Resident Representative James Wakiaga, Mutali said that the UN was committed to youth participation.

“As the UN we believe in the transformative potential of the young people of Zambia and double down on our support towards their empowerment and economic inclusion, as is demonstrated in our commitment towards achieving the SDGs. The UN position has hereby been clear:  to support youth-led approaches that promote stronger socio-economic and political participation in a conducive and enabling environment”, said Mutali.

This message was buttressed by UNFPA Representative in Somalia, Niyi Ojuolape.

“The African Youth SDG Summit highlights the need of shared inspiration and collective effort between stakeholders,” he said,

During the side events, youth shared suggestions on how to advance inclusive Social Protection to unlock the power of women and girls while also addressing recovery from COVID-19 and contributing to attainment of the SDGs. Others covered setting priorities for accelerating SDGs in Africa, and envisioning Africa’s contributions to the SDG Summit. Other key themes addressed ensuring climate action, tackling inequalities and gender biases with youth at the centre of mobilization efforts as drivers of the Decade of Action for the SDGs.

Voices of youth

“The summit stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of African youth who are catalysts for change, & architects of a brighter future for our continent.”

"We are a major force for sustainable development and key agents for social change, economic growth and technological innovation."

"The message goes beyond the 5th AYSDGs in Lusaka. Policies must include the diverse age groups we serve, including youth. Let's discuss with them and use their language."

"I was honoured to attend the 5th African Youth SDG Summit. We had so many important conversations on the role of young people in achieving sustainable development."

“Without youth-driven innovation, achieving the goals by 2030 is out of reach. Innovation lessens the impact of disabilities. Let's champion intentional inclusivity for a sustainable future.”

“Over the year's AYSDGs partners have proven that partnerships can turn African youth's aspiration into reality, by continuing to believe in our vision, the summit.”

The summit, which was also attended by policy makers, development partners, private sector, academia, and CSO representatives and heads of UN agencies from Africa, concluded with commitment by youth to play a bigger role in attainment of the SDGs by 2030.

View photos on Flickr