Gathering Youth Leaders from all around the globe and shaping the agenda for the upcoming High-Level Political Forum, the ECOSOC Youth Forum serves as a unique platform to showcase youth innovations and demonstrate how creativity and multi-stakeholder collaboration become a cause for positive change. The crucial role of youth in Leaving no one behind is already a recognized part of the global affairs, and taking into account the steadily growing potential of Central Asian region, I personally envision representation of Central Asian youth in the global dialogue as a highly significant asset for building multilateral trust and strategic planning for sustainable development.

Being a Youth Ambassador for the Goal #17, Partnerships for the Goals, endorsed by the United Nations Office, I firmly believe that young people serve as the key to the solutions we all seek – achieving the Global Goals set in the 2030 Agenda for universal prosperity and peace. As outlined in the concept of the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025, Partnerships are recognized as one of the priority discussion considerations for the upcoming HLPF, and as a representative of youth in action myself, I am committed to promoting youth advocacy and building the capacity of young leaders in policy negotiation, nurturing their boundless potential to ensure their meaningful participation in the decision-making processes.

Of course, actions speak louder than words, and we, young leaders, as the driving force of positive change, not only have to engage the next generation of changemakers, but also demonstrate them that taking part in global action is not as difficult as it seems. For instance, as a Country Representative of Turkmenistan to the International Youth Consultative Committee on Climate Issues, established during UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, I have recently taken part in the regional dialogue of youth with the Ministers of Environmental Protection, Ecology, and Climate Change of Central Asia, COP29 Presidency, and Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Türkiye on Climate to discuss the current issues in the region and potential for strengthening our regional collaboration in this matter. Following our, youth’s, recommendations, all the high-level representatives agreed on the significance of creating the National Youth Advisory Boards and strengthening youth engagement in setting up countries’ agenda.

Reflecting on the upcoming II Central Asian Youth Dialogue, which is going to take place on the sidelines of the ECOSOC Youth Forum, I feel deeply proud to see that Turkmenistan, as the key stakeholder in shaping global peace and partnerships outlined in our foreign policy, not only has a strong youth representation at such a high-level event, but stands as its initiator. The recent adoption of the UNGA Resolution on the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan by consensus once again reaffirms an integral role Turkmenistan plays in universal peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and promotion of mutual trust, strengthening a solid foundation for the prosperity of the generations to come.

In conclusion, I would like to quote His Excellency the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, "Well-informed, educated, healthy youth is a powerful force, a bright future for our state." Let this powerful force embark on their journey of global cooperation. For shaping the best the world can be, for generations to come.

Saparguly MAHTUMOV

United Nations SDG Youth Ambassador for Goal #17, Partnerships for the Goals,

Country Representative of Turkmenistan to the International Youth Consultative Committee on Climate Issues