Secretary General António Guterres said that empowering young people in a fair and hopeful world reaffirms the UN promise that each person has the right to make informed decisions about their lives and futures.
Although many young people face economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health challenges, climatic crisis and an increase in conflicts: they are still leading courage, consciousness and clarity, “calling systems that maintain their rights and support their choices,” he said in his message.
“Let’s listen to what young people want and support them to exercise their rights, make their own decisions and enjoy a hopeful future,” said Natalia Kanem, director of the UN sexual and reproductive rights agency, formally known as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
An inclusive future
“Young people are not only thinking about their future children, they are thinking about the world that children will inherit,” a youth activist told UNFPA.
Mr. Guterres urged countries to invest in policies that will guarantee that young people have access to education, medical care and the promotion of the protection of reproductive rights.
“Let us be with young people and build a future where each person can shape their destiny in a world that is fair, peaceful and full of hope“, Said.
2025 award winners
Every year, the UN Committee for the UN Population Award honors an individual and/or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health questions and their solutions.
On this world population day, the winners of 2025 were recognized for their innovative work to empower women and address the critical challenges that face population growth.
The winner in the individual category, Varshan undand Who founded Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, works tirelessly to empower women at the community level in India, building vocational skills, connecting them with vital resources and services and promoting financial independence.
The winner in the institutional category, the International Union for the Scientific Study of the Population (IUSSP), has played a fundamental role in the advancement of the science and politics of the population, especially by helping to establish regional population associations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
See our interview with Natalia Kanem, who renounces as director of UNFPA after more than eight years.