UN Resident Coordinator, a.i., and UNICEF Representative Richard Bridle
Paññãsãstra University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, 12 August 2010

Professor Sambo Mannara, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, young people,

I am honoured to speak with you this morning on behalf of the United Nations in Cambodia.  I would like to thank Youth for Peace for putting together this Forum in celebration of International Youth Day and the launch of the International Year of Youth.

I am very pleased to see so many of you here today, dedicating your time as young people to your country’s development focusing on issues that not only affect you today, but will also have a bearing on your future.

This year, 12 August marks a crucial date for young people and societies around the world. Today, we celebrate the launch of the International Year of Youth, under the theme Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. Twenty-five years ago, in 1985, we celebrated the first International Youth Year. The challenges for youth development that were identified during that year laid the foundation for the World Programme of Action for Youth, and its 15 priority areas still provide us with a useful guide to enhance the wellbeing of young women and men. While progress has been achieved in some of these areas, much remains to be done to ensure that all our youth become skilled, healthy and productive members of society.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
12 August 2010

This year’s commemoration of International Youth Day also marks the launch of the International Year of Youth, under the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”.

UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid
12 August 2010

Today, on the International Day of Youth, and every day, young people are searching for opportunities to pursue and fulfill their dreams. The world’s more than 1.8 billion people aged 10 to 24 yearn for a world where they have the knowledge, skills and opportunities to develop to their fullest potential.