UNFPA Equatorial Guinea and the Civil Society celebrate World Youth Day 2022,

"Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a world for all ages"

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the world needs to harness the full potential of all generations. Solidarity between generations is key to sustainable development. We must work together to foster successful intergenerational relationships and partnerships to ensure that "no one is left behind". While intergenerational solidarity and concern for future generations is called for in addressing global issues - the UN Secretary-General has recently put forward new recommendations on renewed intergenerational solidarity, including in Our Common Agenda - many challenges remain.

In this context, the aim of this year's International Youth Day celebrated on August 12^th, 2022 under the theme "Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages", is to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve the SDGs and leave no one behind, focusing on alignments with the United Nations Youth Strategy 2030. International Youth Day 2022 will also raise awareness of certain barriers to intergenerational solidarity, in particular age discrimination, which affects young and older people, while having detrimental effects on the society as a whole.

The celebrations in Equatorial Guinea will be co-organized by the United Nations Population Fund-UNFPA, the Civil Society and and the support of Youth and Sustainable Development-JDS; with two major activities that will take place in the auditorium of the Guinean Cultural Center: The Official Launch on August 12^th, 2022 and the Thematic Forum on August 17-18^th. These activities will be attended by governmental and non-governmental institutions, public and private companies and youth associations. The main objectives are to rise awareness for the need to involve the different generations to achieve the SDGs; to create an intergenerational platform on the SDGs, where both young and adults, members of the Government, international organizations, Civil Society meet to discuss these issues and involve all generations in the development of activities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Additional information

• International Youth Day is commemorated every year on August 12^th to draw the attention of the international community on youth issues and to help develop the potential of young people as partners in today's society. On December 17^th, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly by Resolution 54/120, following the recommendations of the World Conference of Ministers of Youth, declared August 12^th as International Youth Day. The Assembly recommended that public outreach activities be organized to support the Day as a way to promote and raise awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth, adopted by the General Assembly in 1996.

 Some important facts:

• The Global Report on Age Discrimination launched by the United Nations in March 2021 highlights the many data gaps that exist regarding age discrimination against young people. Despite this lack of research, young people continue to report age-related barriers in various spheres of their lives, such as employment, political participation, health and justice. At the individual level, these age-related barriers can profoundly affect well-being and livelihoods not only during the youth years, but also in adulthood. At the societal level, age discrimination prevents us from thinking and designing social policies and services that take a life-cycle approach and are fair to all ages.
• Fostering intergenerational solidarity between generations is more necessary than ever to ensure an inclusive and sustainable recovery. As we navigate the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important to recognize and address these age-related barriers to "building back better" in a way that leverages the strengths and knowledge of all generations.

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