The United Nations in Vietnam held on Friday a meeting with 50 local young leaders and changemakers during the Summit of the Future 2024.

Themed “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, the event highlighted the central role of young people in digitalisation and innovation for sustainable development in Vietnam.

Addressing the event, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, Pauline Tamesis, said that, “As Vietnam finds itself in the midst of a rapid digital transformation with substantial socio economic impacts, it is crucial to engage youth in the discourse on digital policies and practices. At the same time, disparities and shortcomings when it comes to Internet access and digital skills need to be addressed, to ensure a truly inclusive digitalization will us all, regardless of their background or gender, towards sustainable development.”

The event on the Action Day of Summit of the Future 2024 featured insights from young experts engaged in areas related to digitalisation, international organisations, and government, with the aim of showcasing Vietnam’s inclusive approach to youth-led digital transformation on a global scale, as well as contributing to the Digital Compact and Future Generation Compact.

Through two roundtable sessions and interactive activities conducted both online and offline, young experts and relevant stakeholders were also able to discuss and exchange the knowledge and information needed to navigate digitalisation for sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, CEO and founder at Raise, Haley Phan, said that young entrepreneurs and digital citizens nowadays had new opportunities and a solid technological foundation to address global challenges.

"With technology, the youth movement in promoting and creating innovative interventions and digital products can be easily scaled and reach a larger community, especially the hardest-to-reach groups, with faster and more equitable, inclusive approaches than ever before,” she said.