Deputy Secretary-General's remarks to the African Youth Development Summit [as prepared for delivery].

It is wonderful to be here today at the African Youth Development Summit to talk with you about youth leadership, the participation of young women and men in Africa's development, and the obstacles that stand in their way.

Globally, today's young people are a historic phenomenon - the largest cohort of young people that our world has ever seen.

There are 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in the world today, and Africa is the youngest continent, where young women and men constitute more than 60% of the total population.

But young people face serious challenges in today's world. They are often at the forefront of global trends, including global challenges.

In some countries, young people are confronted by conflict and terrorism.

In others, they suffer the effects of economic exclusion and growing inequalities, deprived of quality education, skills and health services.

Young people are seeing their pathways to participation blocked and their rights denied.

Perhaps most damaging of all, young people are witnessing the manmade destruction of our natural environment. They can see that governments and others are failing to respond to the challenge of climate change with the urgency and ambition that is needed. They know that for the sake of their future, we need to transform our economies and embrace new, sustainable patterns of production and consumption.

But, as Madiba once said, 'When people are determined, they can overcome anything'.

And with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 2063, we now have road maps for social and economic transformation, around which we can unite, and demand and drive change at local and global levels.

Dear young people, dear friends,

The Africa We Want will not be possible without the full participation and of Africa's young people, particularly those who face barriers - including young women and girls.

For decades at the United Nations, we have sought to work with and for young people.

But today, at a time of mounting attacks on multilateralism and international cooperation, we recognize that our best hopes for global peace and prosperity on a healthy planet lie in the hands of young people. We need your leadership, participation and engagement, right across the globe.

That is why in September this year, the Secretary General launched the United Nations Youth Strategy: Youth 2030. A strategy led by a young woman with courage of her convictions - our Special...