ECOSOC Youth Forum and UNGA Plenary on UN 75 Postponed!!

In light of the public health emergency of international concern (COVID-19) and in consideration of the risk assessment that was just conducted under the guidance of the United Nations Secretariat and based on a Meetings Risk Assessment Matrix prepared by the Secretariat, the President of the Economic and Social Council and the President of the General Assembly just decided to postpone the UN75 Youth Plenary initially scheduled to be held on 31 March 2020 and the ECOSOC Youth Forum scheduled for 1 and 2 April 2020. (Link to official letter)

These two meetings will be held at a later date to be announced in due course.

In the mean time UN MGCY is developing plans to convene a series of virtual meetings and interactions to provide a space to youth people to engage in discussion on the topic of the youth forum and the UN75 plenary. We will keep you posted. 

Previous Update

Status of ECOSOC Youth Forum 2020!

Given recent developments related to the global COVID-19 outbreak and guided by the recommendations of the World Health Organization, we are currently assessing the situation with regards to the convening of the Youth Plenary and the ECOSOC Youth Forum, scheduled to be held from 31 March – 2 April 2020 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

We kindly recommend all participants who are making their logistical and travel plans to put them on hold until a final decision is made by the organizers in the course of the next week.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Letter on UN MGCY’s Views on ECOSOC Youth Forum 2020

We have held discussions within the UN MGCY Coordination Team, secretariat and board based on technical inputs from the Global Youth Health Caucus, and the Sendai Youth Stakeholder Group, the formal youth constituencies at the UN for Health and Disaster Risk Reduction respectively. We have also consulted with a number of member organisations, many of who are currently working in COVID-19 preparedness and response at the national and/or international level.

Based on these inputs as well as insights from our partners in the field, in addition to decisions taken for several UN and UN linked meetings, and in our capacity as a co-convenor of the Youth Forum, we are of the view that the UNGA Youth Plenary and ECOSOC Youth Forum 2020 should not take place in their current form and/or date.

Given the rapidly evolving situation, with much still unknown about the nature and transmission patterns of COVID-19, we have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the young people whose voices we seek to amplify and support. We are sure you will understand our concerns and empathize with the duty of care that we all share in this regard. 

Evidence clearly shows that large events (or ‘mass gatherings’) can amplify the spread of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory diseases such as coronaviruses. Such infections can be transmitted during a mass gathering, during transit to and from the event, and in participants’ home communities upon their return. Given the international nature of the Forum, this is something we need to be particularly cognizant of and take steps to proactively mitigate associated risks.

It is worth noting that many countries are placing restrictions on mass gatherings and this may also be something we see in the US over coming weeks. In light of this, we should respond early and proactively to ensure young people do not find themselves left out of pocket for flights and accommodation due to last minute cancellations - or, as we have already seen this week with CSW, arriving in New York only to find the event won’t be going ahead after all. We urge for clear and formal communication to all participants so they can take necessary action.

As a co-convenor of the ECOSOC Youth Forum, having been engaged since its first edition in 2012 and related negotiations for ECOSOC resolutions that have referenced and strengthened it, we are fully aware of its importance for the global youth agenda and UN, specially as we kick off the Decade of Action for Sustainable Development. We understand that we might lose opportunities for valuable in-person interactions between UN entities, young people, member states and other stakeholders. Yet, we also have a bigger responsibility to exercise our duty to amplify and strengthen prevention efforts in the light of a potential pandemic.

However, having spoken with members of our constituency, we believe that this challenge also presents an opportunity to do things differently and continue to bring the voices of young people to the UN. We have outlined several alternative scenarios that we are ready to lead on and believe can be accomplished through our joint efforts: organise an inclusive and participatory virtual forum, conduct joint UN75 youth consultations on national and regional levels to collect views of youth, seek additional inputs through different formats of surveys, present outcomes at a special events at the HLPF and UNGA, and/or push the forum to a later date.

We remain available to suggestions from our members and partners, including on how we can adapt and innovate in this challenging context and create a safe and meaningful experience for young people. We realize that any decision is a difficult one to take and will strive to work in solidarity towards next steps.

Sincerely, on behalf of UN MGCY Coordination Team