TRIPOLI - Excellencies, distinguished guests, and, most importantly, the young innovators shaping Libya’s greener future:
I extend my sincere thanks to the Minister of Environment and his team for graciously hosting this important event, and for their strong partnership with the United Nations in advancing Libya’s environmental and climate agenda.
I also wish to express my appreciation to the Minister of Youth and the Ministry for their continued and close collaboration in advancing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda in Libya, which recognizes young people as essential partners in building peace, resilience, and sustainable development.
This vision is reinforced at the global level. The Security Council’s recent resolution on Youth, Peace and Security reaffirms the imperative of youth-led and meaningful participation in decision-making processes related to peace, development, and climate action. In Libya, we are translating this commitment into practice. We are working closely with the UN Youth Office at Headquarters to ensure that this resolution is not only endorsed but also implemented through concrete platforms for youth leadership and meaningful engagement with young innovators like you.
I further extend my sincere thanks to Tadawul Financial Group Innovation Garden for bringing its incubator expertise and instructors to this initiative. Your contribution has been instrumental in identifying, mentoring, and training the outstanding young innovators we see here today.
People often say the future of a country lives in its youth. Over the past weeks, the EcoVision: Youth Climate Challenge initiative has travelled from Benghazi, to Sebha, and now to Tripoli. But this journey was more than travel across cities. It was a journey through the incredible talent, creativity and determination of Libya’s young people.
In Benghazi, on 8-9 January, we saw ideas rooted in science and precision. Projects using smart tools to reduce water loss in agriculture, nurseries helping restore biodiversity, and robotics programmes teaching young people about the environment in exiting, hands-on ways.
In Sebha, on 18-19 January, innovation met resilience. Youth teams designed systems to detect gas and water leaks, projects turning local grains into food products, and automated irrigation solutions proving that technology can succeed even in the most challenging environments.
And today, here in Tripoli, we see this vision advancing even further.
You are working with AI-guided robotics, green drone logistics, satellite-mapping for reforestation and creative ways to turn waste into useful resources. These are not just ideas on paper. These are real solutions to Libya’s challenges today around water scarcity, waste management, and sustainable agriculture.
What is most inspiring is that you are not waiting for solutions from others. You are building them yourselves, here in Libya, for Libya.
For the United Nations in Libya and our partners here, young people are not just beneficiaries of change. You are partners in shaping it. Your leadership is essential to strengthening climate resilience, diversifying the economy, and building a more stable and inclusive future.
Libya’s greatest wealth is not only beneath its soil. It is seated in this room today.
EcoVision is not ending here. This is only the beginning.
To the Libyan youth: You bring the vision.
We will match your ideas for Libya’s future with an unwavering commitment to your growth, your leadership, and your success. So that your vision can shape the Libya of tomorrow.
Let EcoVision become part of Libya’s future.
Shukran.
