Young People Gather At The UN To Drive Science- And Evidence-based Solutions For Sustainable Development

New York, 15 April 2025 – The largest UN annual gathering of young people will be taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York from 15 to 17 April. Young people are key contributors to sustainable development, social justice and global solidarity. With the world facing a series of challenging crises, the engagement of young people in finding innovative solutions to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is more critical than ever.

“The world has recognized the immense potential of youth to contribute to sustainable development. We must create spaces where youth voices are heard, valued, and integrated into decision-making processes. The ECOSOC Youth Forum has proven to be that safe and candid space to elevate and advance the voices of youth in shaping policies that impact their present and future,” said ECOSOC President H.E. Mr. Bob Rae.

More than 55 Ministers, 18 National Youth Council heads, and over 105 youth delegates will participate in the 2025 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum to provide a platform for young people to highlight innovative and data-driven approaches to tackle today’s most pressing issues. The active engagement of young people on such issues is not only essential for current generations, but also for the creation of a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future for the generations to come.

“We have witnessed how youth can galvanize commitments and take concrete actions at all levels. We need young experts to be engaged in addressing all the challenges that humanity faces today. Only if we work together, in a spirit of unity and solidarity, can we build a world that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient for current and future generations,” said UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua.

About the Forum

The 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum is convened by the President of ECOSOC and organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in close collaboration with the UN Youth Office, the United Nations Inter Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD) and co-convened by the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) and the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organizations (ICMYO), with technical input from youth organizations relevant to the theme of the forum.

This year’s Forum will be guided by the 2025 theme of ECOSOC and the High-level Political Forum (HLPF): “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”. It will provide opportunities to discuss concrete actions and commitments to realize the SDGs for in-depth review at the 2025 HLPF, including SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Discussions from the three-day event will also contribute to the Third UN Ocean Conference (9-13 June 2025), the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) (30 June-3 July 2025) and the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) (4-6 November 2025).

Participants will delve into topics like the urgent need to protect the ocean, while focusing on the critical role of youth in driving sustainable solutions. They will also explore how fostering cross-sector collaboration and innovative financing can bridge existing gaps in education, training, and access to green jobs.

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