Distinguished government leaders, respected partners, and the vibrant youth of our nation

Today, August 12, we come together to celebrate International Youth Day, a day dedicated by the United Nations to honour and amplify the voices of young people around the globe . This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, reminds us that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals isn’t a distant idea, it starts with the creativity, passion, and service of our youth in their own communities.

To our young changemakers, You are not just the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today. Your ideas, energy, and community ties enable you to translate global goals into meaningful local action. Through localizing the SDGs, you are contributing to inclusive, sustainable development that reflects the realities and needs of your communities, you are actualising your goals and making impact wherever you find yourself, You are not limited to implement, service can be rendered from anywhere, so it is time to impact your world from the local stand point of view.

To our government and policymakers, Youth engagement is not a luxury, it is a necessity. With over 65% of SDG targets linked to local governance, it is imperative that local and regional authorities create policies, resources, and mechanisms that truly include youth voices in planning and decision making . This is our chance to invest in inclusive frameworks that connect youth-led innovation with actionable pathways, this is doable, because we have vibrant youths as a nation, smart, intelligent and result oriented.

As the President and Founder of Prestigious Ladies International, I urge all stakeholders to unite under three guiding commitments:

Empower through participation- Invest in youth led programs and platforms where young people can co-design and implement initiatives, whether in civic engagement, climate action, entrepreneurship, or social innovation.

Create enabling environments- Establish mentorship schemes, youth innovation hubs, and accessible funding that nurture and scale local solutions.

Honor youth as partners – Move beyond consultation to genuine collaboration, As a government you don’t know the quality of Youth you have, we are not just young, we are innovative, Smart, and action takers, recognizing young people as full stakeholders and co-creators of the future our society strives to build .

Together, let’s build a legacy where every young person has the voice, tools, and support to turn bold ideas into real progress. By doing so, we unite in service of the SDGs and propel our nation toward a more inclusive, just, and sustainable tomorrow.

Happy International Youth Day!

Amb. Princess Onuoha Kelechi
Founder,
Prestigious Ladies International [PLI]
12|08|2025

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