Statement by Ukrainian Youth Delegate to the UN Yan Erl-Ruzhytskyi During the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth in New York
“Panel 2 - Full, effective and meaningful youth participation, at national and international levels, for the benefit of current and future generations” (25 September 2025)
Your Excellencies,
Full, effective, and meaningful youth participation is not a slogan – it is a necessity for the survival and progress of our societies. Today’s youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are already shaping decisions that determine peace, security, and development for generations to come.
Ukraine has taken this responsibility seriously. We have actively integrated the voices of young people into national policy, including through the state budgetary program “Youth 2030.” This program secures dedicated funding for countless youth initiatives over the next five years, ensuring that young Ukrainians are empowered at national, regional, and local levels.
Moreover, Ukraine is proud to be among the countries that established youth councils not only in municipalities and regions but also within government institutions. These councils guarantee that youth input is directly included in decision-making, turning ideals of participation into daily practice.
Yet this participation, like so many aspects of Ukrainian life, has been brutally hindered by Russia’s war of aggression. I remember Taras Melnyk, the brother of my classmate, who was curious, full of promise, and eager to build his future. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but one year ago his life was cut short while he was defending his homeland. I also think of Andriy Shkrynda, a brave warrior and the father of my good friend, who likewise was brutally killed by Russia. Their stories are not isolated tragedies – they are evidence of how Russia’s war robs young Ukrainians of their future, tears families apart, and strikes at the very foundations of peace and security. They remind us that meaningful youth participation is impossible when an aggressor seeks to silence and destroy an entire nation.
I also think of Appaz Kurtamet, the youngest Crimean political prisoner, unjustly sentenced by Russia for resisting the occupation of his home. His stolen youth shows that Russia’s aggression extends beyond the battlefield, targeting the very right of young people to speak, to act, and to belong to a free and democratic society.
Despite all this, Ukrainian youth refuse to surrender their future. Even under missile strikes, they design innovations, establish civic initiatives, and volunteer to rebuild their communities. Their resilience proves that investing in youth participation is not only about policy but also about safeguarding freedom itself.
For this reason, Russia must be held fully accountable. Its aggression undermines international law, violates human rights, and silences young voices that should be shaping the future. Real peace, real progress, and real participation will only be possible when accountability prevails, and Russia ends its brutal and unprovoked aggression.
Excellencies, the participation of youth – nationally and internationally – is not a matter of choice but of survival. To secure the future of our world, we must secure the space for young people to lead, to contribute, and to dream.
Thank you.
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