At the Second Session of the 2024 Executive Board of UN-Habitat, SERAC-Bangladesh, alongside the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and the Bangladesh Urban Youth Councils Network (BUYCN), emphasized the transformative role of youth in sustainable urban development. Highlighting initiatives like the Urban Youth Council (UYC), SERAC-Bangladesh called for inclusive consultations, integration of global commitments such as the SDGs and the Pact for the Future, and prioritization of marginalized groups to ensure no one is left behind. Recognizing the critical support from Sweden, the USA, and Germany, the statement underscored the need for collaborative action to amplify youth leadership and foster inclusive cities.
To further these efforts, SERAC-Bangladesh proposed updating the UN-Habitat Youth Strategy and establishing a Future Generations Unit to strengthen intergenerational collaboration on a written statement submitted to the UN-Habitat Executive Board assembly. Member states were urged to invest in replicating successful youth-led governance models like the UYC, transforming young people from participants to active leaders in shaping sustainable urban futures.
Read the Full Statement here.