26 July 2011: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Meeting on Youth concluded with the adoption of an outcome document emphasizing “poverty eradication, the promotion of sustained economic growth, sustainable development and full and productive employment and decent work for all.” The meeting was focused on the theme “Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,” and was held to mark the International Year of Youth.

The High-level Meeting convened in New York, US, from 25-26 July 2011. It was mandated by UNGA resolution A/RES/65/267 and comprised two informal, interactive roundtables. The first roundtable focused on strengthening international cooperation regarding youth and enhancing dialogue, mutual understanding and active youth participation as critical elements for social integration, full employment, and the eradication of poverty. The second roundtable focused on the challenges to youth development and opportunities for poverty eradication, employment and sustainable development.

The outcome document, adopted by consensus, enumerates 17 areas of action by member States to fulfill their commitments to promote youth development. The document highlights the major challenges faced by youth in accessing basic social services, with a particular focus on girls and young women, and notes that the economic and financial crisis, continued food insecurity, energy crisis and climate change have limited further progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

It calls for increased participation of youth and youth-led organizations in formulating development strategies and policies. The document also calls on UN agencies and their partners to strengthen international cooperation and exchange good practices through the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD), and on donors to support the implementation of the outcome document, as well as the World Programme of Action for Youth.

The International Year of Youth will close on International Youth Day on 12 August 2011. [Draft Outcome Document (A/65/L.87)] [Webcast of Meeting] [Background Information and Documents] [UN Summary of Meeting] [Press Conference] [Joint Statement of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development]