The European Union welcomed the 2026 report of the United Nations Youth Office and called for young people to have a stronger role in decisions that affect them. Ambassador Hedda Samson delivered the statement on behalf of the EU and its member states during a UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
The EU said the Youth Office had helped UN teams and agencies include young people more consistently in work on the Sustainable Development Goals. It also welcomed the Core Principles for Meaningful Youth Participation and the Youth Compass, an EU supported tool that helps young people find ways to take part in policy and decision making.
The statement also noted the Youth Office's work on the World Programme of Action for Youth, the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and the ECOSOC Youth Forum. The EU asked the office to share information early and work closely with member states, youth delegates and civil society.
The EU said young people should influence decisions rather than only attend meetings. It pointed to EU Youth Sounding Boards, funding for the 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report and a network of more than 700 young peacebuilders as examples of this approach.