A/HRC/35/7 upheld. She recommended that studies should be conducted to gather disaggregated data on the specific needs and challenges faced by young people, that the African Youth Charter should be applied effectively by member States of the African Union, and that there should be reporting on compliance with human rights mechanisms, conventions and treaties at all levels. IV. Summary of the discussion 23. In the ensuing discussion, contributions were made, in the following order, by representatives of: Australia, speaking also on behalf of Canada and New Zealand, the Dominican Republic on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Philippines on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union, Canada on behalf of the International Organization of la Francophonie, Brazil on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Sudan on behalf of the Group of Arab States, Portugal, Georgia, Brazil, El Salvador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Italy, Namibia, Greece, Bangladesh, the United States of America, Israel, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Council of Europe, Romania, Egypt, the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Libya, Indonesia, Spain and Maldives. 24. Representatives of the following national human rights institutions and nongovernmental organizations contributed to the discussion: the Australian Human Rights Commission, the World Young Women’s Christian Association, the World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS), the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, Action Canada for Population and Development, Save the Children International, and Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme. 25. Delegates reaffirmed their commitment to the inclusion of young people as rightsholders, and to the promotion and protection of young people’s human rights. Many delegations drew attention to their countries’ large youth populations and the growing challenges that disproportionately affected the current generation of young people, including unemployment and a lack of decent work for young people, social exclusion, the impacts of the economic crisis, inadequate education and opportunities, political marginalization, climate change and intergenerational inequality. Delegations highlighted the risks associated with growing youth populations whose rights were not realized, including the potential for politically disengaged or disenfranchised youth to contribute to instability, conflict and violence. 26. Nonetheless, many delegations viewed young people as essential to the realization of economic and social progress. They drew attention to the crucial role young people played in realizing human rights, peace and sustainable development, particularly when they were empowered to contribute positively in those respects. Others stated that it was important to enable young people to contribute to addressing major global challenges through active and meaningful participation in politics, sustainable development efforts and decisions affecting them. Several delegations highlighted the need to strengthen specific programmes to promote and protect the rights of young people, particularly in relation to education, employment and human rights awareness-raising. One delegate noted that businesses should become more involved in that regard, for example through improved vocational training, and another asked how the Council could contribute to youth empowerment in the context of the 2030 Agenda. 27. Some delegates highlighted the diversity of youth, and emphasized that some young people from marginalized groups or those in situations of vulnerability needed targeted policies and protection in order for their rights to be realized. One delegate noted that, while young people shared many common experiences, their diversity should also be celebrated and their different voices and engagement strengthened. Another pointed out that young people were particularly vulnerable to becoming victims of violence as a result of armed conflicts worldwide, and that the reduction of armed conflict through youth empowerment should be a priority for all States. 28. Several delegations highlighted the policies that they were implementing in order to fulfil the rights of young people and create opportunities for them. Most delegations felt 7