COLOMBO, May 8 -- Chief of the Chinese delegation of the World Conference on Youth (WCY) 2014 on Thursday highlighted the role played by the United Nations in promoting youths' development and called on countries to continue support the UN.

Addressing a plenary session in the WCY 2014 Thursday, Zhou Changkui said that UN has emphasized more on youth development in recent years, saying the youth issue has become an integrated part of the global development agenda.

"Let's support UN to continue to play an important role in promoting youth development. UN is an important guide and advocator in promoting youth development," said Zhou, who is also a vice president of China's all nation youths' federation.

He also called for international cooperation on youth development issues, saying governments should develop balanced economy and improve environments so as to make the youth benefit from economic development.

President of the United Nations General Assembly John William Ashe called on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the WCY 2014 that world youth need to get involved to define the post-2015 global development agenda because "the stakes are just too high" to do otherwise.

"This time around we have to make sure that they are involved. This is about youth, without you this cannot happen. Do not let this happen the stakes are far higher. You need to get involved. You have to make this about you. Ultimately you have to take part in decision making. Get involved," he said.

The five-day WCY 2014 was kicked off Tuesday in Sri Lanka and about 1,500 youths from 169 countries participated in the event that put a focus on youth development in the coming years.