SAMARKAND, September 6. /Dunyo IA/.  UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and Head of the United Nations Youth Office, Felipe Paullier, in an exclusive interview with Dunyo IA correspondent, shared his insights on the significance of the 12^th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians taking place in Samarkand under the theme ““Reclaiming human rights, justice and dignity for all in turbulent times”, as well as on the initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan aimed at strengthening parliamentarism:

- I am absolutely delighted to be here in Samarkand at the invitation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Government of Uzbekistan to participate in and address the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, underscoring the critical role that parliaments play in operationalizing global frameworks and implementing international commitments.

Indeed, Uzbekistan plays a highly pivotal and leading role in this regard. A milestone resolution was adopted at the UN General Assembly, recognizing the vital role of parliaments in addressing global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Today, I had yet another opportunity to emphasize how imperative it is for parliaments to take an active stance in protecting human rights within a world of uncertainty - an uncertainty driven by ongoing conflicts, climate change and digital disruptions.

It is of paramount importance to address these issues in a chamber convening young parliamentarians. They assume a leading role when it comes to forging more inclusive institutions that provide greater avenues for youth engagement and participation, as well as for fostering intergenerational justice. This is something we require progressively more.

When we discuss youth empowerment, engagement and participation, it is not a matter of pitting one generation against another. Rather, it is about harnessing the finest expertise and lived experiences of older generations and synergizing them with the skills and capacities of the youth.