Mohammad Naeem and Alicia Joy O’Sullivan are Ireland’s 2023-2024 United Nations Youth Delegates. This public diplomacy initiative is run annually by the National Youth Council of Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs. These blog pieces serve as a reflection for the Youth Delegates on their time at international conferences, as well as an information-sharing tool for young people and youth workers to learn more about the programme and how young people in Ireland are represented abroad.
Earlier this month, Alicia & I had the extraordinary honour of speaking at the opening of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in the iconic General Assembly Hall in New York. Representing Ireland on this global stage was a deeply humbling experience, especially as it marked our final conference as Ireland’s United Nations Youth Delegate. The HLPF is the UN’s central platform for reviewing the progress and challenges of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
One of the most significant moments of my address was the opportunity to highlight Ireland’s youth chapter in our Voluntary National Review (VNR) from last year. This chapter, the first of its kind alongside Iceland, represented a monumental step forward in empowering young people to participate in UN accountability processes. I urged all member states to follow Ireland’s lead and include a youth chapter in their VNRs. The inclusion of youth perspectives is not just a symbolic gesture but a necessary strategy to ensure the sustainability of our efforts toward achieving the SDGs. Our voices must be central to the global conversation on sustainable development.
Throughout the forum, I made four interventions on behalf of Ireland, focusing on some of the most pressing issues of our time. In the session on SDG 2 (No Hunger), I addressed the catastrophic hunger and starvation crises unfolding in Palestine and Sudan. These regions are experiencing severe food insecurity, and the international community must act urgently to prevent further suffering. After any speech at the UN, there’s a sense of relief once it’s done—you usually receive a round of applause and then settle in to hear the other speakers. But for me, this speech was different, it meant a lot more to me. After I finished the Palestinian delegation approached me and thanked me for my speech. Seeing how grateful and appreciative they were that I gave voice to our shared message on behalf of Ireland was deeply moving. The Palestinian people’s unwavering determination in the face of adversity serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and hope that drive the pursuit of peace and justice.
During the session on SDG 1 (No Poverty), I turned my attention to the rising cost of living, from housing to education, and its significant impact on young people across the globe. The economic pressures faced by young people today are unprecedented, and without immediate action, we risk an entire generation being left behind.
In addition to these engagements, Alicia & I organised a breakfast networking and collaboration event for young people at the Irish Mission. This event provided a platform for young delegates to connect, share experiences, and strategise on how to amplify youth voices in the global arena. The Irish Mission is always enthusiastic about welcoming young people, making it a wonderful opportunity for us to network, collaborate, and showcase the mission’s work.
As I reflect on my time at the HLPF, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible people I met and the experiences I had. I am especially thankful to Ireland’s Ambassador to the UN, Fergal Mythen, and the dedicated team at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN & National Youth Council of Ireland. Their unwavering support made it possible for the voices of young people in Ireland to be heard at the United Nations. It is up to us to ensure that the momentum toward achieving the SDGs is maintained to 2030 and beyond. I encourage every young people in Ireland and around the globe to get involved and use your voice!