Access to quality education is not only beneficial for young people but also for the world. Educating boys and girls increases productivity and facilitates economic growth; knowledge about sanitation, immunization, nutrition and general health can save lives; quality education provides girls and boys with the skills they need to take on leadership roles at local and national levels, enabling them to take part in decision-making on matters that affect their lives and their communities.

More people are living better now than they were just 10 years ago. Four years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, we know that many Governments are putting the SDGs at the centre of their development plans and are aligning their policies and institutions behind the Goals.

As a result of recent global developments, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, Silatech—an international development non-governmental organization that links youth with employment and economic opportunities—has maximized its efforts to safeguard youth against extremist ideologies through economic and social empowerment.

The Nelson Mandela Rules emphasize that the provision of health care for prisoners is a State responsibility, and that the relationship between health-care professionals and prisoners is governed by the same ethical and professional standards as those applicable to patients in the community. Moreover, the Rules oblige prison health-care services to evaluate and care for the physical and mental health of prisoners, including those with special needs.

While the United Nations needs to put the right plans and policies in place they will also need to cultivate partnerships with Governments, civil society and the private sector to harness the resources, innovative ideas and skills that we so desperately need to turn the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into a reality.

Population policies today are about people, not numbers, and about the rights of individuals and couples to freely decide whether, when or how often to have children. But it has not always been this way.