Joint Statement by India, the EU and a group of 92 countries during the Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming - A reflection on five years of UN Youth 2030: mapping a blueprint for next steps, delivered by Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, Head of the Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations and other International Organisations, Geneva, 27 February 2023

Mr. President,

 I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of India, the EU and its Member States, as well as a group of other countries across the regions, representing 92 countries in total.

We welcome the focus of this year's High-level Panel Discussion on Human Rights Mainstreaming on Youth. Young persons are powerful agents of change for our societies, and for the well-being of our planet.We recognise the significant contributionof young persons towardsbuilding a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future.Young persons worldwide are essential partners especially in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; the Paris Agreement; theWomen, Peace and Security Agenda; the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda; and the World Programme for Human Rights Education.

Yet global crises and instability disproportionately impact young persons, especially girls and young women,and young persons in vulnerable situations who increasingly face multiple andintersecting challenges which impair the enjoyment of their human rights. The climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated gender inequalities and increased the digital divide in education.We believethat youth advocacy can be a force for a sustainable recovery.

Mr. President,

  We call for a digital transformation in education that ensures access to inclusive quality education for all without discrimination of any kind.

We also call for the further promotionof full, equal andmeaningful participation of young persons, including girls and young women, young persons in vulnerable situationsand youth organisations,in decision-making at all levels. We stress the need for the protection of young activists and human rights defenders across theworld.

Only by engaging and working for and with youth, supporting them in standing up for their human rights and creating the conditions allowing them to play an active role,can we achieve enduring peace, security, justice, climate resilience, and sustainable development for all.

Thank you.

List of co-sponsors:

1.Afghanistan

2.Albania

3.Argentina

4.Armenia

5.Australia

6.Austria

7.Bahamas

8.Bangladesh

9.Belgium

10.Benin

11.Bhutan

12.Bolivia

13.Bosnia and Herzegovina

14.Bulgaria

15.Burundi

16.Cameroon

17.Canada

18.Chile

19.Colombia

20.Costa Rica

21.Croatia

22.Cyprus

23.Czechia

24.Denmark

25.Ecuador

26.El Salvador

27.Estonia

28.Eswatini

29.Finland

30.France

31.Georgia

32.Germany

33.Greece

34.Guatemala

35.Hungary

36.Iceland

37.India

38.Indonesia

39.Ireland

40.Israel

41.Italy

42.Japan

43.Kazakhstan

44.Kenya

45.Latvia

46.Lithuania

47.Luxembourg

48.Malaysia

49.Malta

50.Maldives

51.Mauritius

52.Mexico

53.Mongolia

54.Montenegro

55.Morocco

56.Nepal

57.Netherlands

58.New Zealand

59.Niger

60.Nigeria

61.North Macedonia

62.Norway

63.Panama

64.Paraguay

65..Peru

66.Philippines

67.Poland

68.Portugal

69.Principality of Andorra

70.Principality of Monaco

71.Republic of Korea

72.Republic of Moldova

73.Romania

74.San Marino

75.Serbia

76.Slovakia

77.Slovenia

78.Somalia

79.South Africa

80.Spain

81.Sudan

82.Sweden

83.Tajikstan

84.Timor Leste

85.Thailand

86.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

87.Turkey

88.Ukraine

89.United States of America

90.Uruguay

91.Vanuatu

92.Viet Nam