The Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, through its now-outgoing first officeholder, Ahmad Alhendawi, has proved to be an essential role for the United Nations and global society, an ambassadorship towards some of the most crucial and marginalized groups represented and aided by the United Nations.

In this transitional period following Envoy Alhendawi's formal departure from his role, and amid threats of looming budget cuts towards the UN, many have cited and rumored that the Office of the Envoy on Youth might be among the first towards the chopping block. In his departing speech at the 2017 ECOSOC Youth Forum, I and many others witnessed Envoy Alhendawi's forceful and moving address in favor of the maintenance of his office and advising his successor.

It must be assured that he will have a successor, and we, those who have and will sign this petition, ask that Secretary-General Guterres guarantee that this ever-important Office will continue its work, and that the necessary effort towards identifying and hiring Envoy Alhendawi's successor be continued posthaste, even in the face of potential or defined cuts.