In a compelling address at the Global Green Economy Summit, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the President of the World Green Economy Organization, emphasised the transformative role of youth in advancing the green economy. He noted that today’s young people have unprecedented access to knowledge, technology, and global networks, which their predecessors could not have imagined, thereby enabling them to play a crucial role in expediting the transition towards sustainable practices.
Empowering Youth for Green Transition
Al Tayer delivered these insights during the keynote speech at the session titled “Youth Roundtable: From Ideas to Impact – Expanding Youth-Led Solutions for a Green Economy,” an event orchestrated by the World Green Economy Organization through its platform for youth and academia as part of the summit’s twelfth edition.
Highlighting the significance of the green economy, Al Tayer stated, “The transition to a green economy is one of the critical transformations of our time. It reshapes how we produce and consume energy, manage our natural resources, design our cities, develop new technologies, and create sustainable economic growth opportunities.”
Harnessing Innovations for Sustainability
He further elaborated that the ideas and capabilities of the younger generation could significantly contribute to accelerating the shift towards renewable energy, enhancing resource efficiency, promoting the circular economy, and developing innovative technologies and business models essential for leading the green transformation. This belief drives the organisation’s initiatives aimed at empowering youth.
Framework for Discussion and Action
“Our discussion is grounded in three pillars: first, green innovation and entrepreneurship; second, financing, skills, and market access; and third, policies and partnerships for scaling up,” Al Tayer explained. The roundtable’s theme, “From Ideas to Impact,” reflects an aspiration to create the conditions necessary for youth-led ideas to evolve into viable solutions through innovation, access to financing and skills, and collaborative partnerships and policies for expansion.
Opportunities for a Sustainable Future
Concluding his address, Al Tayer stated, “The green economy will contribute to the creation of new industries, new careers, and new opportunities. Your generation has the chance not only to participate in this transformation but also to help shape its direction and accelerate its impact.”