The launch of the 16th World Conference on Youth took place at the Magam Ruhunapura International Convention Centre in Hambantota today. Youth delegates as well as state delegates from 169 countries joined in the glamorous opening ceremony.
Jayathma Wickremanayake, the first Sri Lanka youth delegate to the United Nations welcoming the delegates pointed out that Sri Lanka has entered the historic occasion of declaring to the world that the youth are not the leaders of the future but today.
The message of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was read by his special representative Ahmed Alhendavi.
President of the United Nations General Assembly Dr, John William Ashe addressing the opening ceremony told the youth delegates to exploit the occasion to the maximum, specially the opportunity given to speak on youth in preparation for the future.
Thereafter the song specially composed in view of the Youth Conference was presented. Music for this theme song was contributed by Bathiya and Santush. It was composed by Minister Dulles Alahapperuma. There was a massive response to this theme song from the young delegates present at the conference. A notable feature at the opening ceremony were the delegates joining in singing this song approaching the stage.
Sri Lanka organized the hosting of this World Conference on Youth following a high level youth meeting of the United Nations Association held in July 2011. This is also the first time that such a conference is being hosted in an Asian country.
Addressing the inaugural sessions of the World Conference on Youth, President Rajapaksa appealed to all delegates of the conference to regard the ‘country’ as sacred.
The inaugural sessions of the conference drew to a close with a colourful performance portraying Sri Lanka’s culture and identity.
The sessions of the Conference will continue at the BMICH from tomorrow until the 10th of this month.
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