UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C) attends the Special Event on "Investing in Youth to Counter Terrorism", at the UN headquarters in New York April 12, 2018. Antonio Guterres on Thursday underscored the importance of investing in youth for the fight against terrorism. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday underscored the importance of investing in youth for the fight against terrorism.

"Today's discussion is centered on young people who are at risk of disempowerment and alienation, and susceptible to extremist narratives and recruitment. If we are serious about prevention, and particularly about preventing conflict, we need to be serious about engaging with and investing in young women and men," Guterres told an event organized by the Norwegian and Pakistani delegations and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism.

Violent extremist groups target and invest in young people because they are aware of young people's potential and their strong desire for change, he said. "Recruiters and peer networks engage personally and individually with young people, tapping into their discontents, listening and offering alternative views and analyses. They exploit grievances and use manipulative messages, conspiracy theories and lies, offering a twisted sense of purpose to disaffected young men and women."

"If we are to counter terrorists' manipulative messages, we must engage with young people on their terms. Which is why it is so important to bring young people into the conversation, to enable them to express themselves, to listen to them, invest time and resources in them, and empower them to realize their goals."

Children and young people yearn for better lives, for better futures for themselves and their societies. "We need to support them in fulfilling their dreams," he said.

Dialogue and understanding, political inclusion and participation, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law, the empowerment of women and girls: these are the tools to enable children and young people to grow into responsible citizens.

"Let us build on the idealism, energy and innovative power of youth. Let us honor the positive resilience and resourcefulness of young people. And let us offer young women and men options, and inspire them with the hope and opportunity they deserve," he said.

Nearly half the world's population (46 percent) is 24 years-old or younger. Africa and the Middle East have the highest proportions of young people, he noted.