With half the world’s population under 30, sidelining young people is no longer an option. That’s according to UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, who champions the determination and creativity of the world’s youth.

He’s been at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha this week, issuing a strong call to action and urging world leaders to put young people at the heart of decision-making.

In an interview with UN News’s Abdelmonem Makki, he said that real progress means making space, so young people have a main seat at the table: “They’re not waiting for us,” he adds, “they’re finding solutions.”