From 25 to 27 April, thousands of young leaders from around the world are ready to gather at the Economic and Social Youth Summit (ECOSOC) 2023. In person and online, they are bringing their solutions, recommendations, and initiatives, sharing their ideas for ensuring a sustainable future is possible for everyone.
The three-day event centers on accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“This year, the ECOSOC Youth Summit unfolds against the backdrop of complex global issues, including increasing geopolitical tensions, the unprecedented climate crisis, growing poverty, the push back against human rights and fundamental freedoms, and maintaining recovering but inequality from the global epidemic,” said Jayatma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary-General’s Representative on Youth.
Now, as never before, it is vital that we put young people’s voices, science and new ideas front and center in our efforts to put the world back on track to achieve the SDGs by 2030.”
UN Secretary General António Guterres attends the Youth and Innovation Summit during the 2022 UN Ocean Summit in Portugal.
Key platform for zero things
The Youth Forum is the first platform for young people to participate in policy discussions at the UN, where they can express their thoughts, concerns, and focus on their new solutions to face the challenges the world faces.
Throughout the Conference, youth leaders and youth-focused organizations have the opportunity to interact with Member States, policy makers, and key players to promote youth development, address the challenges they face, and share their contributions to realizing the youth-specific goals of the SDGs.
The first conference in 2012, initially aimed at raising awareness of high youth unemployment rates and exploring solutions for better job opportunities. The Conference’s success and high demand for the platform led to its transformation into an annual conference.
The UN says the world is on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
2023 program
The 2023 Agenda focuses on key issues for youth and also monitors progress towards achieving the SDGs, offering a unique opportunity to engage young people on issues that matter to them.
Youth ideas, solutions, and innovations will not only contribute to policy discussions, but also complement important meetings between other governments to ensure the participation of youth voices in all areas.
Towards a cure for COVID-19
Young people are uniquely vulnerable to the long-term socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, facing significant disruptions to education, training, and employment.
Despite these obstacles, young people have shown resilience and proved that they are important players in shaping a better and more prosperous future.
Within that theme, the Assembly will review progress on key SDGs on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordability and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), sustainable cities and communities ( SDG 11), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
New generation’s appearance
The event will feature youth-led speakers, high-level Government representatives, local and multilateral organizations, and youth-led organizations from all regions. The event will include panel sessions, interactive and community-based discussions, and dozens of group events which will take place formally and in person.
During the conference, young people will also share their recommendations and new ideas. The outcome of the Conference will be a statement of the process by the ECOSOC President and a Presidential Statement.
Students in Tanzania hold Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cards.
Making decisions and policies
Their ideas will feed into the preparations for the SDG Summit, which will be held in September, to identify the ambitious actions needed to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
In the lead-up to the Future Conference in September 2024, the UN Secretary-General is issuing a series of policy briefs to provide more information on the alternative proposals contained inOur Common Plan. The Secretary-General released on Wednesday the third brief in this series, focusing on meaningful youth involvement in policy-making and decision-making processes.
The brief highlights key proposals from the Secretary-General with a view to ensuring more meaningful, diverse, and effective youth participation across intergovernmental decision-making processes at all levels.
Summary of the 2022 cohort of 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Young leaders for the SDGs
Young people from all over the world will attend the ECOSOC Youth Summit, including a new group of Young Leaders for the SDGs. Every two years, this flagship initiative recognizes 17 young change makers who are leading efforts to address the world’s most pressing issues and whose leadership is driving the successful delivery of the SDGs.
“The 2022 Class of Young Leaders for the SDGs represents an incredibly diverse, intersectional and inspiring group of young people who represent the best of global youth activism and advocacy when it comes to challenging the status quo and creating a better world. better for everyone,” said the UN Youth Ambassador.
From culture to climate, youth leaders represent every region in the world and help young people worldwide support the Goals.
