Thank you, Mr. President.

Our delegation aligns itself with the statement made by G77 and China.

The Philippines thanks Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and his Special Envoy on Youth, Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi for their remarks. We also express our appreciation to Ms. Vivian Onano for her inspiring keynote address.

The National Youth Commission (NYC) is the Philippine agency in charge of implementing the World Program on Action for Youth (WPAY) and in line with this it has developed policies and programs, to address the 15 priority areas of the WPAY. These include, among others, integration of out-of school youth into technical and vocational education programs and alternative learning systems; campaign for a Youth Entrepreneurship Law and promotion of youth participation in decision-making through its initiative for the creation of Local Youth Development Councils, that will facilitate programs and policies for youth at the grassroots level.

Parallel to the Philippine Development Plan, which addresses the MDGs and the post-2015 development agenda, the NYC crafted, in consultation with youth and youth organizations, a Philippine Youth Development Plan for 2012-2016.

Mr. President,

We note that 11 of the 15 priority areas of the WPAY have been incorporated into the proposed goals of the SDGs. There are explicit goals on access to quality education for all, promotion of productive employment and decent work, ensuring healthy lives, promotion of sustainable development, addressing hunger and drug abuse, promotion of gender equality, and eradicating poverty. For juvenile delinquency, even though there are no explicit goals towards its reduction, keeping all youth in school and providing youth employment may be considered as a preventive measure. However, there is still a need for stronger consideration of the issues of drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure time activities, ICT and HIV/AIDS.

We also need to look at emerging areas where the power, creativity and innovative skills of the youth can be harnessed. Our NYC has identified, in particular, disasters risk reduction and management. We believe that youth, even as they are one of the most vulnerable sectors during calamities and disasters, have the capacity to be partners in such crises. The youth’s contribution is vital because of their access to and knowledge of technology and their willingness and availability as volunteers. As such, the NYC is advocating for the inclusion of youth representatives in the National and Local Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council and its local government counterparts. Hence, we see this as an area where the WPAY can be incorporated into the post-2015 development agenda.  

Mr. President,

The youth are not just the future, they too are the present. They are not just beneficiaries, they are active agents and partners. If we are to further build on the WPAY and integrate the youth into the post-2015 development agenda, we must ensure that we work with them, not just for them.  

Thank you.