A/RES/65/312 youth-friendly counselling and complaint and reporting mechanisms for the redress of violations of their rights; 14. Reaffirm that the strengthening of international cooperation regarding youth, including through the fulfilment of all official development assistance commitments, the transfer of appropriate technology, capacity-building, the enhancement of dialogue, mutual understanding and the active participation of youth, are crucial elements of efforts towards achieving the eradication of poverty, full employment and social integration; 15. Welcome the ongoing efforts by Member States to implement their pledges to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and acknowledge the contributions of Member States, the United Nations entities, civil society organizations, including youth-led organizations, and the private sector to improve the situation of young people; note with concern, however, that, despite these efforts, substantial numbers of young people reside in areas where poverty constitutes a major challenge and access to basic social services is limited, especially for girls and young women, and that youth development remains hindered by the economic and financial crisis, as well as by challenges brought about by the food crisis and continued food insecurity, the energy crisis and climate change; and also note with concern that the overall progress towards achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, in particular on issues relevant to youth, has been uneven; 16. Recognize that the majority of the world’s youth live in developing countries and that development constraints pose additional challenges to youth owing to their limited access to resources, education and training, health care, employment and broader socio-economic development opportunities, and therefore request United Nations entities to take into account these development constraints when designing and implementing their programmes on youth in order to ensure that benefits reach young people living in developing countries equally; 17. Condemn the recruitment and use of youth in armed conflict, in contravention of applicable international law, deplore the negative consequences it has on the youth involved, and call upon Member States, in cooperation with the United Nations entities, to take concrete measures and continue to support programmes to ensure the effective social and economic reintegration and rehabilitation of demobilized young people; 18. Recognize the importance of preventing and addressing youth crime, including drug-related crime, and its impact on youth and the socio-economic development of societies, as well as of protecting young victims and witnesses and supporting the rehabilitation, reintegration and inclusion of young offenders in society with a view to them assuming constructive roles; 19. Invite Member States, following the celebration of the International Year of Youth, to continue to place greater emphasis on, and expand their activities at the national, regional and international levels in promoting, including through human rights education and learning, a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding among and with youth, as agents of development, social inclusion, tolerance and peace; 20. Reiterate that the full and effective participation of young people and youth-led organizations in relevant decision-making processes through appropriate channels is key to, inter alia, achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and to implementing the 3