H.E. Mr Miguel Mario Diaz Canel Bermúdez, President of the Republic of Cuba, H.E. Ms Mayra Arevich Marín, Minister of Communications, H.E. Mr. Ernesto Rodriguez Hernández, Vice-Minister of Communications, esteemed guests, digital pioneers and innovators of the future, what a great Global Youth Summit!
I thank the Government and people of Cuba for welcoming all of us in your great country. Your generosity, kindness and hospitality are overwhelming. Around 400 participants from over 30 countries have gathered here in Varadero!
To the Republic of Cuba: thank you for hosting the summit. Over the past few days, I have been blown away by the enthusiasm of our hosts. They have shown how much they care about engaging young people in our digital future. They put in place wonderful facilities for a brilliantly organized event, and one that also exposed the participants to the wonders of Cuban culture! Let’s show our appreciation!
Before the Summit, I had the opportunity to visit Matanzas Tech Park, where ideas are turned into reality to advance digital transformation, with benefits for innovation, climate change, financial inclusion and more. I also met with Cuban entrepreneurs and I am truly inspired by the work being done to advance digital here. So, where better to bring young people from all over the world to discuss connectivity, innovation, environment, future jobs, and the impact of AI? People have travelled huge distances to be here in Varadero. It is truly amazing.
Better still, you have all shown resolute commitment and dedication, and come up with fantastic ideas! You also took time to come up with brilliant songs that reflect your aspirations. We will use the song that you voted as your best song, and we will seek sponsorship for a representative of the winning team to be with us in Baku for the Youth Celebrations.
The room has been full in every session, and buzzing with energy, as you were all eager to take part and contribute your thoughts.
The report of this Global Youth Summit captures ideas shared at the event and will serve as a fantastic resource for stakeholders seeking to align approached on digital issues and the digital development agenda. The Summit outcomes underscore the vital role of including youth in discussions that shape the future of the digital world and the global digital ICT landscape. During these past few days, I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to speak with young people here, and to feed off your enthusiasm! Youth commitment to digital development is genuinely inspiring for me.
I cannot do justice by naming all the prestigious, high-level leaders who came here from across the world to listen to the challenges and solutions of today’s youth. They also shared their ideas based on experience during the inter-generational dialogues. And I can assure you we will continue this work through various platforms.
For example, we have a Girls in ICT Day coming up on 24 April, jointly hosted in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and Nouakchott, Mauritania, under the theme "#GirlsinICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation". And, of course, we are looking forward to our Youth Celebration Day in Baku, Azerbaijan, to be held a day before the World Telecommunications Development Conference in November. You are all welcome to join us there!
I would also like to recognize Ms Blanca González of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation in Spain, because she is also a vice chair of the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group and thus a member of the TDAG Bureau. The participation of TDAG reaffirms ITU-D’s own commitment to empowering youth on digital matters, and engaging you in digital policy dialogues.
I would like to thank all those who have made the event possible, including all the teams that have worked behind the scenes for days and nights. The whole Cuban team, Intersputnik our sponsor, all the local sponsors, the interpreters. As for the ITU team here present, at the various offices in Brasilia, Geneva and elsewhere, thank you for your hard work.
Finally, I am proud to see so many young digital leaders and future changemakers in action. Thank you for coming.
To my UN colleagues, I am grateful to you for contributing to this Summit. We are all concerned that many countries are struggling to meet SDG development targets. We in the ITU are committed to make our contribution to put digital at the centre of your work to be a catalyst and a driving force so we can help countries achieve the SDGs.
Besides digital, the world enjoys a demographic dividend. In most regions we have more youth than any other age group. Young people are our hope for a better sustainable future. Each according to your mandate but ultimately let us share the glory of lifting the young people and positively impacting their lives with a universally connected, safe world. Again, thank you for your contribution!
And with this don’t forget to stay curious and stay bold: the future of digital rests on your young shoulders! Thank you!
