Dear Chair, Distinguished Delegates, and Guests,

My mother taught me to be strong, to stand tall, and to fight for what’s right. But she also taught me to see the world for what it truly is. And the world, as it stands, is failing women and girls.

As the clock ticks, every two minutes, a woman or girl dies from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Let that sink in for a moment. Girls, some younger than me, are forced into marriages and pregnancies that their bodies are not ready to bear. They are denied contraception, safe healthcare, and the basic knowledge of their own bodies and rights. These are fundamental human rights, yet they are withheld from millions.

Tell me, how is it not an act of violence when a 14-year-old girl dies in childbirth because her body was not ready? This isn't just a tragedy – it's the deliberate result of our collective negligence, a consequence of a world that refuses to prioritize women and girls.

We cannot allow young girls to suffer or die due to a lack of medical attention or resources. Girls should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, free from coercion or fear. They need access to education – especially comprehensive sexuality education – because knowledge is power. They must have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of their background.

Make no mistake: Us women and girls are not powerless. We are not victims waiting to be saved. We are a force gathering strength. Every attempt to silence us only amplifies our resolve to fight for our rights – and for the fundamental right of every person on this planet to lead a healthy and self-determined life.

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Recently, the opportunities for many to lead a self-determined life have been increasingly limited by cuts in global development funding. While it is easy to make such decisions on paper, the consequences in real life are devastating, especially for young people.

These cuts mean fewer resources for health services, for sexual and reproductive health and rights, for education. It is estimated that by limiting access to contraception, recent cuts will ultimately lead to more than 8,000 maternal deaths – many of them among teenage girls. This is shocking! These are not just statistics; these are real lives.

I am privileged that these cuts do not directly affect me. But I think of the young people my age, just about to turn 18 and maybe also just about to finish high school, whose futures are stolen because of them. And I know we cannot remain silent.

These are challenging times, and crises often push countries towards national solutions. But in isolation we all lose. The case for multilateralism has never been stronger, because global problems need global solutions. And development assistance plays a key role in addressing global challenges.

Dear Chair, distinguished delegates,

As youth representatives, we call on all nations to continue on the path of diplomacy, international cooperation and multilateralism. Because this is not just about policies. This is about people. This is about our future.

We will not stop speaking up until every young person, everywhere, is enabled to live their life on their own terms. Because we deserve more than just survival. We deserve to live the life we want.

Thank you very much.