Today as the world commemorates International Youth Day, we have an opportunity to look at the situation of young people and focus on the quality of their lives. While it is common for leaders to proclaim that young people are the future, it is vital that leaders listen and work with young people today. It is time to support youth leadership.

Today the world has the largest number of young people, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of the total population, in world history. Fully half of the world’s population is below the age of 25. In the developing world, one person in three is between the ages of 10 and 25. Given these numbers, it simply is not an option to put the needs and rights of young people on hold or at the end of a list of seemingly more pressing priorities.

It is time to make the well-being and inclusion of young people a top priority. This is especially important as world leaders prepare for September’s 2005 World Summit. At the Summit, attention will be focused on the progress that has been made in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It is clear that unless greater investments are made in young people, the goals to end extreme poverty and hunger, combat HIV/AIDS, improve child and maternal health, ensure universal education and promote gender equality will not be met. Nowhere are investments more urgently needed than in adolescent girls and young women. They are not only bearing the brunt of the AIDS epidemic in Africa but they are also vulnerable to all forms of exploitation, violence and trafficking everywhere. They need safe spaces, equal opportunities and support to develop to their full potential.

All over the world, young people are chasing the dream—the dream for a better life, for peace, for equality, for justice, employment, for freedom. But they are living in turbulent times in a rapidly changing world and they are undergoing many changes within themselves as they enter adulthood. More and more young people are struggling to adapt to these changes and find their own place and identity.

Today, on International Youth Day, we must confront the fact that millions of young people face devastating prospects. What are the real prospects of the half a billion young people who live in extreme poverty? What are the life chances of the millions of child brides who become pregnant? What are the opportunities of the 15 million AIDS orphans?

Clearly, the priorities must change. All young people have a right to opportunity, education and health, including reproductive health. This is urgent because half of all new HIV infections are among young people and far too many young women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. By providing youth with accurate information and quality services, they can protect their health and save their lives. For UNFPA, young people are a priority and they are our partners. This International Youth Day, let us all pledge to support young people so they can reach their dreams.