Young people need better access to technology and skills development to play an active role in defining the world's digital future, according to participants at the ITU Global Youth Summit, which concluded today in Varadero, Cuba.
The three-day event, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Ministry of Communications of the Government of Cuba, set out to amplify youth voices on the tech-driven future. Participants from around the world between 18 and 25 years of age identified their priorities to ensure that information and communication technologies are safe, affordable and accessible.
Key tech issues for young people discussed at the summit included connectivity, digital inclusion, online safety, ethical development and use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, preparing for the future of work, and enabling digital participation by all to foster economic and social empowerment of youth globally.
“Young people must be heard as they seize technology's opportunities and take on its challenges," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Bringing youth from around the world together in the spirit of hope, possibility, and ambition allows them to help shape our shared digital future.”
According to ITU's latest Facts and Figures report, an estimated 79 per cent of young people are online compared to 66 per cent of the global population.
While youth are more active online worldwide, meaningful connectivity for young people remains a challenge in low-income countries, where only 43 per cent of young people are online, and in the world's least developed countries, where only 52 per cent are connected.
"We are deeply honoured to have hosted ITU's Global Youth Summit. The discussions and ideas shared here will not only strengthen our national policies and strategies but will also contribute significantly to the global development of digital technologies," said H.E. Mayra Arevich Marín, Minister of Communications of Cuba. “Cuba reaffirms its commitment to digital inclusion, cybersecurity and technological innovation. Together, we will advance towards a world where everyone has access to the opportunities offered by information and communications technologies."
The summit's networking opportunities and intergenerational dialogues allowed young people to learn from technology professionals, experts and policy makers. Discussions highlighted the need for youth to be digitally included and skilled to create opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation as key drivers of global social and economic development.
Summit outcomes underscore the importance of youth involvement in discussions on shaping the future of the digital world and the global technology landscape.
Key ideas presented at the summit include the need to:
- Formulate and implement regulatory frameworks to boost connectivity and ensure confidence and trust in technologies
- Forge public-private partnerships and multistakeholder approaches to collaborate on expanding affordable connectivity solutions and infrastructure projects, especially in underserved areas
- Foster the use of technologies for digital education and seeking employment
- Promote youth entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital world as drivers of youth employment
- Use tech to protect the environment, including greening digital technologies for a sustainable future
- Strengthen digital skills for all youth to cope with the rapidly evolving technological landscape
“This was not just a summit, but a powerful global platform for action, where young voices from across the globe contributed to shaping the future of digital development," said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. “The innovative ideas, solutions, and partnerships proposed by youth at the Global Youth Summit will be instrumental in driving a more inclusive, sustainable, and secure digital future for everyone. I thank the Government of Cuba for hosting this important event which ensured that young voices were heard and ignited insightful debates, cross-fertilisation of ideas, and provided valuable networking opportunities."
Around 400 participants from 31 countries attended the event from all ITU regions. Governments, regional organizations, companies, and academia also took part, along with representatives of other UN agencies and Youth Envoys for ITU's Generation Connect programme.
“The Summit was a unique opportunity to amplify young voices in information and communication technologies, and has underscored our commitment to inclusive and sustainable digital development," said Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández, the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Communications, Cuba. “We thank ITU and all participants for their valuable contribution to this global dialogue."
The summit report will be posted on the Global Youth Summit webpage.
Source: https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2025-03-13-global-youth-summit-cuba.aspx