New York City, 17 April 2025 — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people during this year’s ECOSOC Youth Forum, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 15 to 17 April. The Forum brought together more than 1000 young leaders from around the globe to review progress towards the targets of selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3, with a particular focus on youth engagement and action. The Forum represents a culmination of a 3-month -long process of youth-led consultations.
Dr. Sonja Caffe, PAHO’s Adolescent Health Advisor participated in the Forum, contributing to global and regional discussions on youth well-being and the central role of young people in accelerating progress toward SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
“It is incredibly powerful and inspiring to be part of such a movement, to support and listen to these articulate and motivated young people and know that we are helping build leaders of today and tomorrow”, she remarked.
PAHO’s continues to strengthen its commitment to young people, encompassing various approaches to ensure that youths’ voices are not only heard but also acted upon. The participation at the Forum from young leaders from the Region builds on its long-standing support for youth leadership in public health, including through the PAHO Youth for Health Group (PYHG).
Rehman Hassan, a PYHG member from the Region of the Americas and also a member of the WHO Youth Council, served as co-chair of the plenary session on SDG 3, where youth leaders emphasized the urgency of investing in adolescent health, mental health services, and universal health coverage.
The ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025 provided a critical platform for young people from Latin America and the Caribbean to share priorities, exchange innovative ideas, and strengthen networks for action across borders. PAHO remains committed to promoting spaces for meaningful youth participation. The results will be shared with global leaders at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July.
