SHAPING THE FUTURE: TIMOR-LESTE'S YOUTH CALL FOR ACTION

Timor-Leste's youth are not just future leaders—they have already proven themselves as key actors in shaping a better world. In the lead-up to last year's United Nations Summit of the Future, young leaders from across the country gathered for the Timor-Leste Youth Forum, a dynamic platform where they tackled some of the most pressing global challenges. Organized by the Timor-Leste Alumni Youth Parliamentary (APFTL), with support from the UN Resident Coordinator's Office and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the event brought together over 150 young representatives from 22 organizations, demonstrating the country's strong commitment to global governance, sustainable development, and peacebuilding. As the world prepared for the Summit of the Future, Timorese youth made their voices heard, contributing to the global UN Youth Agenda and influencing the Youth Declaration. Their discussions centered on five critical themes of the proposed Pact for the Future: Sustainable Development and Financing, Peace and Security, Science, Technology, and Innovation and Digital Cooperation, Youth and Future Generations, and Transforming Global Governance. Each of these topics carried profound local significance. 

At the heart of the Forum was the Timor-Leste Youth Declaration for the Summit of the Future, a bold statement aligning with the UN's Our Common Agenda. It called for stronger youth representation in policymaking, increased investment in education and vocational training, and a greater focus on gender equality, reinforcing the importance of SDG 5 on Gender Equality. The declaration also addressed global governance, with Timorese youth advocating for greater inclusion of small nations in decision-making processes. They emphasized the need for accountability in climate commitments, urging world leaders to uphold the Paris Agreement and act decisively on carbon emissions to ensure climate justice for future generations. The UN Resident Coordinator's Office played a crucial role in supporting the Forum, fostering collaboration between national and international actors to ensure youth voices translated into action. The event underscored the UN's commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and empowering young leaders as equal partners in shaping the world's future. As the Summit of the Future became a defining moment in global governance, Timorese youth ensured their perspectives were part of the conversation. Their message remains clear: "We are not just the future—we are the present. The time to listen to youth is now."