(Part 3) ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026
Economic and Social Council
Date: 15 April 2026
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/fr/asset/k1t/k1ts8lfskp?lang=en
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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ECOSOC · President of ECOSOC [0:06]:

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, youth leaders, I call to order the 3rd meeting of the 2026 Youth Forum of the Economic and Social Council. This afternoon, we will hold plenary sessions on youth leadership a critical force in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for all. This session examines youth leadership as a central driver of a sustainable and inclusive future, focusing on pathways for youth engagement in civic and political processes. It emphasizes the importance of accessible and accountable participation pathways and highlight the innovative and emerging opportunities for political participation, including digital technologies, while examining limitations and consequences of the continued exclusion of young people from formal decision-making spaces. We'll first hear from the Dr. Felipe Polia, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, who will deliver opening remarks. Dr. Polia, you have the floor.


UN Youth Office · Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs · Felipe Polia [1:30]:

Thank you, President of ECOSOC. Good afternoon, buenas tardes, and thank you to all the delegates in the room, to all young people in the room. It's really my pleasure to be with you to open this plenary session on youth leadership. Again, I think this is a space to recognize also the leadership of the President of ECOSOC for convening this whole 3 days and all the team working behind the scenes to make this forum happen. And specifically, today's session, this session we are starting at this point, it's about bringing together 2 critical dimensions. On one hand, youth leadership in challenging contexts, and on the second hand, the journey from civic into institutional influence. And that's where we want this conversation to be focused, on how we move from consultation to influence, how we move from activation to institutional transformation. But before getting into the discussion, I want to acknowledge something which is real and it's hard. Which is that this year, once again, too many young people are not in this room, are not with us. Some of them because of conflict, some of them because of displacement, others because of visa restrictions, or just because there are structural inequalities that don't allow them to have access to these rooms. I have to say, this is something even in first person for our office, because of some of these restrictions, some members of our own Youth Reference Group are not here in the room. And I have to say, this is a question of access, and it's a question of which voices are heard in global decision-making. So I know that every young person intervening today will bring this to our attention, and even some of you are not here, I'm sure that through your engagement, their voices, those realities will be considered. And allow me just to say a few words in Spanish because I think very often the language barrier is something that we encounter in these spaces. And the fact is that when we talk about participation, not all youth have the same opportunity to participate. And those who find themselves in conflict countries, conflict zones, are the ones who face the greatest barriers. And it is precisely These situations, these discussions that should draw our attention, because meaningful participation means inclusion and access. But if we are committed to leaving no one behind, so let's bring these situations to our discussion today. Dear youth in the room, dear decision-makers in the room, dear civil society actors, across the world young people are showing us that they are not waiting for permission to be invited. Young people are showing us that they are already leading on their way, and amid shrinking civic space, Young people are organizing, young people are advocating, young people are shaping change. And in this call is where the tension needs to be. While youth engagement is growing, at the same time, youth participation in formal structures is still very low. And far beyond where we should be. If we consider those young people in parliaments, the number is still marginal. If we consider those young people with an Assistant Secretary-General in the UN role, it's a marginal number still. And behind this number, what we have is structural barriers. Is limited access to resources, is restrictive legal frameworks and political systems that are not really designed to include youth. But we're also seeing, paradoxically, the power of youth. Youth-led movements transforming governments, youth-led movements redefining how participation happens. Young people shaping narratives, demanding accountability, demanding the end of corruption, demanding investments on those topics that are the topics needed by communities. So as we have this conversation, it's about also exposing the limits of our current institutions. And this is a tension to have, but it's positive we are having that tension. It's positive we are having that openness to discuss and recognize it. Because when institutions do not create meaningful pathways for participation, it's not that young people are not engaging. They're finding other alternatives to be heard. But it's institutions, the ones that are losing that capacity for creativeness, for innovation. So if we really want to have institutions that are trusted, we need to get into the decision of sharing power. It's more than creating space, it's sharing power. It's about investing in youth-led solutions. It's about ensuring that participation leads to real influence. And it's about recognizing also that in the current world, the digital space is a civic space. The digital space, it's a political space, and that we need to protect youth activists not only in the traditional spaces but also in the digital space. So, as the UN, We take this seriously. We are committed to drive what we can do. We are committed to create more convening spaces for this agenda to move forward, but also we are committed to implement this agenda through the implementation of the core principles of meaningful youth participation across intergovernmental meetings of the UN, but also in the day-to-day of our our UN country teams implement initiatives with and for youth through the UN Youth Strategy. So as we start this session, please, let's keep with us one concrete question: how do we ensure that the leadership we see in the communities, that the leadership we are seeing in the movements, that the leadership we are seeing in online spaces is transformed into leadership in our institutions. Because ultimately, the goal is not only to recognize youth leadership, it is to ensure that youth leadership shapes the decisions that define our collective future. Thank you very much.


ECOSOC · President of ECOSOC [9:56]:

Thank you, José Luis. I thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs for his remarks. Colleagues, we shall first hold Segment 1 on Youth Leadership in Challenging Contexts. I'm pleased to welcome our distinguished speakers. I'm also pleased to welcome Ms. Sonika Paudel, of the SARC Youth Platform and Programs Director at the Youth for Environment Education Science Development Foundations, who will moderate this important discussion. I now invite the moderator, Sonika, to conduct the discussion. Sonika, you have the floor now.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [10:48]:

Good afternoon, everyone. Many thanks, Dr. Philippe Pollière, Head of the UN Youth Office for his welcoming remarks and to the President of ECOSOC for convening us today. I would like to welcome you to this session that aims to explore youth leadership and participation across a variety of regional and global contexts. We are meeting at a time of significant change in how communities interact with institutions. Globally, we see young people navigating varying landscape of opportunities and working to strengthen connections within their communities. Across these different environments, youth movements continue to innovate and organize, finding ways to contribute even as local conditions evolve. I am very pleased to introduce our speakers today. Our first speaker is Luis Mojica Perez, who is the founder and CEO of the Project to Decolonize Coffee. Our second speaker would be Rodrigo Cardoso, who is the youth leader for European region within Amnesty International's Global Youth Collective. Our third speaker would be Laurel Patterson, who is the director of strategic partnerships and communications at the Crisis Bureau at UNDP. I would like to thank you all for being with us. Allow me to also note that we would be having an artist drawing a visual of our discussions here today. On screen, we can see that the artist has already captured the opening remarks shared by the ASG of Youth Affairs. So we are excited to see the drawing again later in the session after insights from the panelists are included. So let me start with a simple question to frame our discussion today. Does participation today really translate into influence? I would like to invite each of our speakers to share a 1-minute reaction on this question, on how they see youth participation evolving today. Luis, I would like to start with you, please.


Project to Decolonize Coffee · Founder and CEO · Luis Mojica Perez [13:06]:

Thank you, Sunita. The moderator asked whether participation today translates into real influence. My honest answer is not automatically, and I am proof of both sides of that. Today, I stand before you not only as the founder and CEO of Project to Decolonize Coffee, I stand here on behalf of the emerging coffee farming community of Tierra Alta, Córdoba, Colombia. Young farmers who chose legal agriculture over illicit economies, who chose peace one harvest at a time. In Tierra Alta, the world enjoys the cup while farmers carry the risk: climate shocks, price swings, and the impossible math of keeping their children in school. A farmer once told me, we grow what the world loves, but we cannot afford our own future. That sentence is why PDC exists, and that is why I am here today. Thank you.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [14:06]:

Thank you very much. Rodrigo, over to you.


Amnesty International's Global Youth Collective · Youth Leader for European Region · Rodrigo Cardoso [14:16]:

First, I would like to acknowledge the absence of Noor from West Bank, who was supposed to be here with us, and unfortunately she could not make it because she could not get her visa in time. and her absence is also part of this conversation. Well, I do believe that participation is something that translates into real influence. In many ways, the fact that I'm here today is itself a proof of that, but only when participation is more than symbolic. Too often, young people are invited into rooms to be heard but not trusted to shape outcomes. Real participation really happens when we see young people with resources, power, and follow-through. At Amnesty International, thanks to a global children and youth strategy which was co-led by young people, we're actively walking towards youth empowerment. Currently, at least one-third of our Global Assembly delegates have at least— are at least 25 years old, and that matters because participation is ultimately about giving the space for youth to influence the priorities that we have. So yes, participation can lead into influence, but only when institutions stop treating young people as decoration and they start treating us as political actors capable of shaping decisions.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [15:39]:

Thank you so much for your remarks. I would like to pass on to Laurel now.


UNDP · Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications · Laurel Patterson [15:43]:

Thank you, and it's good to be here with everyone. I don't think I'm going to say anything dramatically Different, but let me contribute to this point all the same. It's an important one. I think we don't see participation translating often enough because sometimes we mistake showing up for the influence to actually make the changes, and there's a distinction there. So one of the things that I think is important for this room and for your work going back forward, going back into the different institutions and the different spaces that you're occupying, is to ensure that participation translates into influence by actually redistributing power. When it doesn't is when you often feel a little empty. You read a summary document of a major event, you post the photos, and you can't figure out what the next steps are gonna be. So access says you can come in, power says you can change the outcome. And for this group, for all of us, the focus has to be on changing the outcome. Where have I seen this work well through our efforts at UNDP is when a young Somali woman has a seat at the table, not a youth table, the table, to influence a peace agreement in her district, or when youth organizations in Liberia, they get direct funding to design and implement their own solutions, not on behalf of somebody else. And when institutions, and I include the UN, and I include UNDP in that, are held accountable for what changed, not only for who was in the room. Thank you. And so, I think this becomes more important as we talk about the challenges and opportunities for young people in challenging contexts, in conflict, in crisis, where the risks are rising, where your space is shrinking— we're going to come to that next— because we don't have time to continue to have a conversation like this saying it's partly working, it's not enough, we need to do better. We've had 10 years of a youth peace and security agenda. So, I really want to encourage us, we'll see where we get to by the end of this conversation going forward, needs to be very concrete, needs to be very outcome-oriented, how we translate meaningful participation into changed outcomes.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [17:47]:

Thank you so much for those wonderful remarks. I would like now to go a bit deeper into some of these issues. And I would like to come back to Luis once again. How do you think youth movements adapting in challenging or restricting context? And what are some of the key barriers that young people face when it comes to civic and political participation? I would like to— I'd like to request you to keep your answer short as possible, probably 2 minutes.


Project to Decolonize Coffee · Founder and CEO · Luis Mojica Perez [18:24]:

Okay. Of course. Thank you for that question. I'll be answering it in Spanish. En Tierra Alta— Tierra Alta is a region where illicit trafficking and armed conflict has governed the daily lives of people for generations. People were not expecting institutions to provide them with a path. They had to build it themselves. PDC was built together alongside them, not over the top of them. The challenge when we began was not just economic, it was a psychological one. Young people in communities affected by the conflict had been told that they were not part of the formal system, that civic, political, and economic participation was a luxury. Thank you. That they couldn't access. I'm thinking of a young farmer that had spent years growing coca because legal crops simply didn't reach him. When he joined our program for coffee gatherers, he said, I always knew that I could grow something good. I just needed someone to believe that it was worth growing. And so now— I'm not sowing war, I'm sowing peace. This is what exclusion sounds like from inside. It was firstly about trust. It was just about being there. Proximity is not just strategy, it is legitimacy. The second issue was building institutions that would be part of the community. A nonprofit cooperative for collective gatherers. And now we are preparing to participate in a community consultation with the ombudsman together with the young mayor of Tierra Alta who is living proof that when young people lead from within the institutions, change is both real and possible. The third adaptation is not having to ask permission in order to be a leader, but I want to be transparent. We have a high level of self-funding at the PDC. This is not a credential, but really this should be concerning to everybody here. How many ideas that are equally powerful but never move beyond the table because that individual didn't have the capacity to take that risk. Many of us are not here simply because the resources were not available. This is not a personal story. This is a structural failure and this is how youth mobilizations have to adapt in restricted circumstances. They had to build facts on the ground that were impossible to ignore and then come into chambers such as this and say, now— and say, we have done the work, now support us.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [21:39]:

Thanks for your remarks. I would like to ask Laurel, youth-led peacebuilding and prevention is gaining momentum in crisis and conflict contexts. This includes focusing on issues like climate and key moments like elections. What makes the difference in youth driving real change, and what are the biggest obstacles?


UNDP · Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications · Laurel Patterson [22:05]:

Thank you. Let me start by asking a question by show of hands in the room, and once you put your hand up, leave it up, and I mean all of you in the back up at the top of the room too. How many of you have joined us from a context that's currently in conflict? Use your own definition for what that looks like by a show of hands. A context that's in conflict. Thank you. And then raise your hand if you come from a context that is experiencing different kinds of crises. Could be disasters, they could be climate, they could be other forms of disasters. Thank you. And then keep your hands up and then raise your hand if you come from a context where you are worried that you are seeing an escalation of risks. That you're seeing a combination, a compounding of those risks that you think could have a detriment effect on your future or the future of your communities. And then take a look around. So one of the things that becomes a problem is defining fragility or crisis or what's complex as if any of that existed in a neat category. It doesn't at countries, it doesn't in communities, it doesn't even for us as individuals, but But I think what we're seeing across the board is that the risks are escalating, they're connecting in different ways, they're making it more costly from a human toll first and foremost, but also from a financial toll. And no one knows this better than young people that are living in contexts that are defined as crisis or fragile affected. So in those contexts, 3 quarters of the population is under the age of 30. It is literally a youth movement from inside these countries. And armed conflicts are more frequent and more deadly than ever. I don't need to tell anybody in this room that, but some of the statistics that I still think are important for us to ground the conversation we're having today— armed conflicts have gone from somewhere over 6,000 armed conflicts in the early 2000s to 20,000 today, and that's defined as organized groups that are using armed force, whether within or across borders. But a statistic that's even more concerning, if you count the number of individual violent events, and you think about the way that might impact you, your communities, and the way that you can leverage change, that number is more than 230,000 individual violent incidents just over the 2024 to 2025 period. We know that most of these contexts are also impacted by climate change, and then the highest price is always paid, and, and my colleagues have mentioned the same thing, by those that aren't making the decision to fight in the first place. So countries, again, with that high-intensity conflict, their economies contract by 20 percentage points in 5 years. So that's the job that doesn't exist when you graduate, that's the school that's destroyed, that's a future that's closed off. And I want to set those challenges not as something to make us feel despair or depressed, but if we don't look clearly, if we can't see clearly what the challenges are, it's extremely challenging to get granular. And I think that's what we need to do in our actions today. So, one of the things that I want to come back to is the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda. So, the core message, which has remained over the years, is still valid, and that's that we can't see young people through a lens of risk. We need to recognize young people for what they are, which is political actors, peacebuilders, drivers of change. And in some of the research that UNDP has recently put out, we'll be launching it at an event tomorrow, we see that young people are not disengaged from democracy, They're actually redefining what that looks like. And so on the point on elections, indeed, elections matter, but for many people today, and certainly those that we're working with, they're no longer the primary channel for political agency. The action is in digital activism, in social movements, and in community organizing. What I want to come back to just as we close, and I look forward to hearing from you in the session that's going to follow, is that we have a real challenge of linking participation to opportunity, to come back to the first question that we were asked. It requires taking the economy seriously. One of the major things that we're focusing on, and our administrator has come back to this over and over again, is jobs and decent work. It is impossible to build any kind of peace and any kind of stability on an empty future. And again, as much as I know that I'm telling that to people that would understand it very clearly, clearly, that's an area that we need to focus more fully in the way that we take our work forward at the UN and support you in your endeavors. And so, I want to close with 2 reflections, and it's for you in the room, and it's for those that was mentioned at the beginning that couldn't join us today. And the first is that I don't want to congratulate young people in conflicts, in crisis, in complex settings for their resilience, and I really think it's something collectively we have to stop. because surviving injustice is not an achievement to celebrate. We need, please, to put justice at the center of everything that we're doing. We certainly believe that at the UN, and I hope it's the same in the work that you're doing. And very much along those lines, I don't think we should be calling young people, all of you in the room, the solution. Your drive and commitment is not a substitute for institutions like the UN, like the room that you're in, and the member states that it represents, who need to do their jobs So, with the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, we've long noted that this is not a warning about young people, this is a warning to institutions. And the alternative to meaningful engagement, as we've seen in our work with young people around the world, is not silence, it's disruption. And I think we're experiencing seeing that in many ways today. And this eroded legitimacy will be a challenge for the multilateral system, impacting all of us, all of our collective futures together. So I hope that we can name and hold account where it's required. I hope that we can be really clear and specific in what the challenges are and where you have an opportunity, where you have an opening, where you have a passion, where you have the skills, and then we work together to make meaningful change, change the outcomes, not just the process. Thank you.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [28:11]:

Thank you very much for your wonderful insights. I would like to bring back Rodrigo once again. What are some of the less visible or personal costs that young people face when entering institutional spaces for the first time? And how are grassroots and informal movements reshaping participation?


Amnesty International's Global Youth Collective · Youth Leader for European Region · Rodrigo Cardoso [28:34]:

I come from Buraco, which is a marginalized neighborhood in Portugal, and today I'm here speaking at the United Nations. That transition involved many costs, and it still does. I was raised by a single mother in a low-income migrant family, as I hope many of you here— I really hope so— and I'm a first-generation college student. So there was no roadmap for me to arrive in rooms like this one. For many of us, especially those coming from working-class migrant, racialized, queer, or otherwise excluded backgrounds, entering institutional spaces means constantly adjusting ourselves. You think about how you speak, you think about how you dress, you think about whether you sound polished enough, formal enough, institutional enough. You do not just enter a room, you are constantly translating yourself. And then there is also the material cost. Participation is often celebrated in principle, we know that, but rarely supported in practice. Time costs money, unpaid opportunities cost money, travel costs money, formal clothes— I see many people in suits here, and me myself, I'm wearing a suit now— but that also costs a lot of money, right? So when you have to think about all of this, you see that exclusion in fact is not always a closed door. Many times it is an open door that still costs too much to get to and then to walk through. That is why when we speak about youth participation we have to ask ourselves, participation for whom and at whose expense? Because if participation depends on exhaustion, on sacrifice, on unpaid resilience, then that is not truly participation. That is not what should be inclusive. That is also why grassroots and youth-led movements have been reshaping their action and why they matter so much. They remind us that legitimacy does not only exist within the walls of institutions such as this one. When formal spaces remain inaccessible or symbolic, young people will continue to organize elsewhere, to build power elsewhere, and rightly so. So to anyone here in the room who also feels like an outsider, like I do, I want to tell you this: do not shrink yourself to fit the room, and once you enter in it, you own it and you belong to it. So to the policymakers and ministers here in the room, if you truly believe in leaving no one behind, Then do not just invite young people in. Be intentional about who you invite. Be intentional about whose realities are represented and who is still missing. Trust us, resources, because the real measure of inclusion is not whether we have some few exceptional young people managing to make it and breaking through, but whether the next one arrives with a little less struggle and a little more certainty that they do belong. We're not asking to make it easier, we're just asking to make it fairer. So if there is one thing that I want to leave you with is that many of us arrive in these places alone, but we carry the sacrifices and the struggles of communities that raised us and the responsibility to make the path wider for the ones who are still getting in. As Sam Cooke once sang, It has been a very long time coming, but I know and I'm very sure that a change is going to come. Thank you.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [32:23]:

Thank you so much, Rodrigo, and thank you everyone, all the panelists, for such a rich discussion. Let me briefly highlight a few takeaways from this panel. We heard that young people are mobilizing, organizing, and leading change, but we also heard that the structural barriers continue to limit the influence, whether due to restricted civic space, lack of access, or unequal power dynamics. At the same time, new forms of participations are also emerging, from digital activism to grassroots organizing. But these are still not fully recognized or integrated into the formal decision-making processes. This brings back— this brings us back to our initial question. Participation alone is not enough, and what matters is whether it leads to real influence and tangible change. For that, we are pleased to see that the core principles for meaningful youth participation in intergovernmental processes and across the work of the United Nations were recently launched. Co-created through consultations with member states, UN entities, young people, and youth organizations, the principles provide non-binding guidance to strengthen meaningful, representative, inclusive, and safe youth engagement across the work of United Nations. We now invite participants to engage in an interactive discussion. Requests for the floor should be made by pressing the microphone button in front of you. If you do not have a microphone in front of you, please raise your hand. We will first go through the pre-identified speakers and then take more interventions as the time permits. Member States will be given the floor based on the expression of the interest received. We would like to remind, remind the speakers that in order to give all those wishing to speak the opportunity to take the floor, the time limit of 2 minutes for the intervention will be strictly applied through the muting of microphones. I would also like to remind speakers to kindly deliver statements at a normal speaking speed feed, and to send the copies of the statements to estatements@un.org to facilitate the interpretation. I would now— I would now like to call Her Excellency Solma Agüero, Minister of Youth, Paraguay, for the intervention.


Paraguay · Minister of Youth · Solma Agüero [35:11]:

Thank you. Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to address you on behalf of Paraguay, but also as a young woman who deeply believes in the transformative power of youth participation in building more just and inclusive societies where everybody's voice truly matters. Paraguay is a young nation with nearly 60% of its population under 30 years. To me, this is not just a statistic. It's a responsibility and an historic opportunity we cannot afford to miss. This topic is deeply personal to me. I come from student activism. My leadership journey began in spaces where youth participation was not the norm, where raising your voice meant being uncomfortable. And at 16, I took to the streets demanding better education, not out of rebellion, but out of conviction. The same conviction led me, together with other young leaders, to create the first student working table with government authorities in front of the President of the Republic. For the first time, students had a seat at the table, and that space continues to give voice to thousands of young people today. So that path brought me here. Today, I serve as the youngest Minister of Youth in the history of my country, and for me, this role has not forgotten where I come from. So that is why we work so that no young person has to fight alone to be heard. From the National Secretariat of Youth, we have reached more young people in 10 months than in the previous 5 years. So we have expanded access to scholarships, strength training, and placed mental health and personal development at the center of the leadership.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [37:19]:

Thank you so much. I would like to call Valerie Levesque from Ressources Internationales de la Jeunesse Francophone for the intervention.


Ressources Internationales de la Jeunesse Francophone · Valerie Levesque [37:34]:

Excellence, Madame. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor to express the voice of the platform that brings together some 400 organizations from around 30 countries. This is a profoundly committed organization We come from different realities that converge around the same language, but these organizations operate in often very difficult contexts where the channels for participation are insufficiently open. In the face of these constraints, the youth movement is adapting and is developing more rapid modalities of action and seeking to be more spontaneous. In this context, technology plays an ambivalent role. It often leads to greater access to information, but also has certain negative aspects such as disinformation, inequalities, and other aspects. To better understand these dynamics, Our network together with the OIOF has undertaken concrete initiatives. For example, in October of 2023, some 1,600 young people from some 40 countries participated in an event. One of their priorities was a more active participation in public life. The French speaking world, most of the population are young people and they need to be more actively involved. Thank you.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [39:22]:

I would like to call upon His Excellency Haytham Al-Zahaf, Minister of Youth, Libya.


Libya · Minister of Youth · Haytham Al-Zahaf [39:33]:

Madam Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear youth, Allow me to share a personal experience which sends a clear political message. Today, I stand before you as one of the youngest ministers in Libya. This is not just a fact. This shows that my country provides an opportunity for young people not just to participate, but also to get to decision-making positions. This shows the true political will of my country to support young people as partners in the present and the future. This openness does not mean that the challenge is gone. It rather proves that it's the beginning of the challenge, because the presence of youth in leadership positions is not enough. We should change the way of thinking. Today, after years of fighting, life is back to Libya, and competition is now around providing services. This provides a new opportunity for young people to ensure change. We cannot talk about empowering young people without talking about providing space and liberties and freedoms. Now, young people are more present in dialogues through local elections and through municipal work. We have also established young councils that allow young people to effectively participate in implementing the priorities of their communities. Consequently, there is a growing youth participation that reflects their— the young people's will to participate in public life. Young people are now partners. This sends a message that believing in young people could become a reality. Thank you so much.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [41:32]:

Thank you very much. I would like to invite Nata Nitia Katia Vara from UNYO Youth Reference Group.


UNYO Youth Reference Group · Nata Nitia Katia Vara [41:44]:

Hello everyone, I am Nitia and today I'm not talking regarding myself but on the behalf of our Palestinian friends, Noor. Noor is also a member of the United Nations Youth Reference Group and this is her message. My name is Noor Hijashi. I'm a youth Palestinian from Jerusalem in West who are living under occupation with restriction, violence, and uncertainty has long been part of our daily reality. Across Palestine, especially in Gaza, young people face unimaginable conditions, entire neighborhoods destroyed, education has been shattered, and the loss of any sense of normal life. For many young people, the future is no longer something we plan for. It is something we struggle to imagine, and yet we continue. Across Palestine, young people are organizing, supporting their communities, and creating space of solidarity under immense pressure. We are not waiting to be included. We are already leading. But here is the contradiction. While young people are on the front line of receiving, we remain largely excluded from the space where decisions of our lives are made. This is not a gap in engagement, it's a gap in power. If we are serious about building a more just and peaceful future, this must change. First, protect young people not only from violence but from exclusion. Second, invest in us, in our education, well-being, and ability to contribute. Third, and most importantly, share power by making young people part of decision-making. Young people are already shaping the future every day in most difficult condition. The question is whether institutions are ready to recognize that and evolve. Let me close with the words of Mahmoud Darwish, we suffer from an incurable disease, hope, and we as Palestinian youth represent that hope does not end. This is a powerful message from our friend Noor, and thank you for listening for Palestine Youth Voice. Thank you.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [43:28]:

Thank you. Thank you. I now invite His Excellency Givi Mikandaze, Minister of Education, Science, and Youth from Georgia. Distinguished


Georgia · Minister of Education, Science, and Youth · Givi Mikandaze [43:44]:

Chair, Excellencies, youth leaders, we recognize that youth leadership is fundamental to advancing sustainable development and shaping an inclusive future. Across the globe, young people are the driving force behind innovations, the strengthening of communities, and the accountability of institutions. Guided by a state youth strategy aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Government of Georgia continues to invest in its youth, prioritizing their meaningful participation across all sectors of society. Annually, over 20,000 young people in Georgia benefit from state-supported programs, including camps, forums, festivals, and volunteering initiatives. In 2025 alone, We funded approximately 100 youth projects, ranging from regional initiatives and student engagement to the development of youth organizations. Notably, the Youth Fund budget has reached an all-time high level this year, reflecting our unwavering commitment to youth empowerment. Nationwide Youth Dialogue in 2025 helped identify the key priorities of our young citizens: meaningful engagement, genuine influence, and accessible platforms. In response, we have expanded youth simulations, volunteering programs, and partnerships that bridge the gap for young people, making their participation in decision-making both real and effective. This participation is further institutionalized through youth councils operating across municipalities. Simultaneously, we are investing in youth infrastructure, including centers and spaces dedicated to non-formal education and civic participation. Initiatives like the National Youth Councils Contest and the National Youth Volunteering Contest Continue to strengthen both civic engagement and responsibility. We also reaffirm our commitment to solidarity and peace. Since 2022, Georgia has hosted young people affected by the war in Ukraine, supporting their inclusion and well-being. In closing, Georgia's experience demonstrates that whenever youth policy is prioritized, tangible results follow. In this regard, I wish to emphasize the critical— Thank you. Thank


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [45:46]:

you very much. I would now pass on to Hannah Malaku, who is UNYO Youth Reference Group representative. Excellencies, colleagues,


UNYO Youth Reference Group · Hannah Malaku [45:59]:

my generation works in a context where realities move faster than the systems meant to respond to them. Youth leadership is not waiting to emerge. At the grassroots level where I work, I can say with confidence that it already— it's already active. Often operating in parallel to formal systems and increasingly shaped by digital spaces that, while not equally accessible to all, enable coordination, access to information, and new forms of influence. The issue is not the presence of systems. The challenge we're facing is in how decisions are structured. In many processes, youth engagement is treated as an input, but decisions are not shaped by inputs alone. They are shaped by timing, by control over resources, and by who carries risk. This is where the disconnect lies. Young people are invited into processes but not into the architecture of decision-making itself. They're asked to contribute but not positioned where trade-offs are negotiated or where final choices are made. As a result, participation exists but it does not consistently shape outcomes. Engagements that come prior are defined, cannot influence direction in meaningful ways. Inputs that are not connected to decisions on resources cannot alter outcomes. And when responsibility is shaped without corresponding authority, participation becomes unbalanced and difficult to sustain. What is required is a shift in how we structure decisions. Young people need to be positioned where choices are made under constraint, where priorities are set, and where resources are determined. Participation needs to be connected to these moments. It also needs to be matched by clear accountability for how inputs is used, so that engagement is not only heard but carried through. On the ground, youth leadership is already navigating complexities, already making decisions, and already absorbing risks in practice. The question is whether our systems are structured to engage with the realities. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [47:46]:

His Excellency Bakary Badji, Minister of Youth and Sport from Gambia. Madam Chairperson, Excellency,


Gambia · Minister of Youth and Sport · Bakary Badji [48:01]:

distinguished delegates, The Gambia has a very youthful population with about 35% of the population between the ages of 18 and 35. This is the reason why the government of The Gambia is not just amplifying the voices of young people but institutionalizing youth leadership. The topic, Youth Leadership: A Critical Force in Shaping a Sustainable and Inclusive Future for All, could not be more relevant to The Gambia. It complements the global efforts to ensure that no young person is left behind, regardless of gender, geography, and economic background. Distinguished guests, The Gambia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, together with its partners, is providing financial and mentorship support to young innovators. Our Youth Graduate Program is ensuring that selected university graduates have access to paid internship opportunities to ensure their chances of full-time jobs. In addition, we continue to provide training and support to young people in modern agricultural techniques. The Gambia reiterates its commitment as we continue to champion youth leadership and youth-driven innovation. With the opportunities created for young people, our 2022 parliamentary election saw for the first time 19% of the elected members being young people. His Excellency President Adama Barrow has also made appointments young people to key positions within government, including young women. From program design to implementation, we believe youth voices are essential partners and key components in shaping inclusive and future-ready solutions. I thank you for your kind attention. Thank you very much. I would now like


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [49:39]:

to invite Marina Ponti, who is from SDG Action Campaign. Excellency, distinguished delegates,


SDG Action Campaign · Marina Ponti [49:54]:

young leaders, we meet at a time when the world is facing profound and overlapping challenges and where the energy, creativity, and determination of young people are essential to address the failure of current generation. Across communities and countries, youth are already shaping positive change. They are mobilizing, disrupting, building, and reimagining our economic and social systems to make them more equitable and sustainable. Often, this work happens against the odds, yet it continues, driven by a clear sense of purpose and possibility. What matters is that these efforts are seen, are supported, also financially, and connected, because youth have the distinct ability to question assumptions, to innovate, and to push boundaries in ways that move societies forward, to recognize and elevate this effort, we at the campaign run the Heroes of Tomorrow UN SDG Action Awards. These heroes are individuals transforming communities towards a more just, sustainable, and peaceful tomorrow, demonstrating through persistence and courage that progress begins with people. And today we decided to launch the 2020 26th edition at this meeting, opening the global call for application. I invite everyone, especially the young leaders here and beyond, to apply and share your achievement. But beyond recognition, we must also ensure that young people have power. Thank you very much. I now invite His Excellency


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [51:56]:

Osman Minister of Youth and Sport from Turkey. I would now like to move on to the next speaker, next intervention, and would like to invite Yiming Bing from Kids for SDGs and Learning Planet Institute. Thank you, Chair. Your Excellencies, distinguished


Kids for SDGs · Yiming Bing [52:32]:

guests, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Yiming Bing from Sydney, Australia in Oceania, a region that too rarely holds a seat in rooms like this, yet sits on the frontline of everything this forum exists to address. I founded my social organization Circulinc to secure the supply chains our green future depends on in Oceania. The green transition runs on lithium, cobalt, and copper extracted from communities in Africa and Asia facing political instability, fragile infrastructure, and little financial resilience. These are all supply chains built on vulnerability. And yet at the end of these chains, Pacific Island nations, my neighbors, are watching their coastlines disappear and still remain among the last to receive the clean technologies such as solar and wind meant to address the crisis they are living in right now. Thus, the communities most exposed to climate change are paradoxically the least equipped to benefit from its solutions. So Circulinc acted. We connected youth researchers across the Pacific and Asia, mapping these supply chains and building solutions from the grassroots up. Together, we developed the Circular Framework, an 8-step model from across 3 continents advancing SDGs 7, 9, and 11. During this process, technology did not merely accelerate our work but made it possible in the first place. It enabled a high school student in Sydney to mobilize a global impact. Accordingly, that must change how this forum treats us youth. We are no longer a consultation exercise. We are parallel infrastructure. Please elevate us as such. Finally, I thank the Learning Planet Institute, the EcoInno Foundation, and the UN Youth Office for making this possible. May we all build more circular lives. Thank you very much. I now invite Austin Han from Dulwich College, Beijing.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [54:43]:

Honorable Chair, distinguished delegates, my name is


Dulwich College, Beijing · Austin Han [54:46]:

Austin Han and I am 11 years old, and I am going to provide a quick speech. Many people think a leader is someone in front, but at 11, I learned that real leadership means helping others succeed. 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals are on track for 2030, so we need to work together to make more progress. My first lesson in partnership came through music. At 9, I co-founded a band with visually impaired musicians. I thought I was there to help, but I learned that true inclusion is co-creation. By adjusting my rhythm, I grew in empathy and focus. Together, we showed that inclusion creates a harmony greater than the sum of its parts, just as SDG 10, reduce inequalities and divisions. Now, I use these lessons in technology. I work on open source projects that make email and controlling the system easier for people with disabilities. Where people everywhere share ideas to solve problems. Open source is a great example of SDG 17 because it helps us partner with others. By sharing tools and knowledge, everyone, no matter their background, can find— can help find solutions. This teamwork brings us closer to achieving all the SDGs. The real leadership is not about how far you go alone, but how many people you help along the way. As the 2030 deadline approaches, what steps can, can liberation ensure that youth are actively engaged as key partners in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future? Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite His Excellency Grigory


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [56:59]:

Gurub, Head of Federal Agency for Youth Affairs from Russian Federation. Madam Chair, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished delegates,


Russian Federation · Head of Federal Agency for Youth Affairs · Grigory Gurub [57:15]:

Youth and children are a state priority of Russia. For us, it's important for youth to develop, acquire new knowledge, and make their dreams a reality— from educational projects, forums, trips around Russia, including grant support and vocational orientation programs. International youth cooperation plays a key role in our work. At the decision of President Putin, international youth events take place in Russia every year. Last year, a global festival brought together some 2,000 participants from 120 countries. In September, in Yekaterinburg, the largest international youth event will take place— International Festival of Youth. 10,000 leaders from different states and ethnic groups ready to take responsibility for the future of our planet will meet in Russia, a country of unlimited possibilities. The festival will become a platform for dialogue about a multipolar world, exchange of experience and achievements in different spheres, a place for people to meet, create new ideas and cooperation. Circumstances should not have an influence on the shaping of culture of mutual assistance. The volunteer movement of Russia brings together some 21 million people. Over the past 5 years, volunteers of the project Together are taking part in dealing with The consequence of natural disasters, restoring homes, schools, restoring people's faith. In the International Year of Volunteering, which was proclaimed by the UN, it's clear that good deeds are a language understandable to all. In December, we will meet at the International Forum and we'll be grateful to all who choose creative labor, share our values and are ready to dialogue. Youth is a time to engage in dialogue and be friends. Thank you. I would like to invite Ali Mustafa from International Organization


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [59:24]:

of Youth. Meaningful youth participation is a governance question. The evidence


International Organization of Youth · Ali Mustafa [59:34]:

before us is clear: when young people are given real mechanisms to contribute, they do not produce symbolic gestures, they produce policy. The Los Angeles Pathway to Peace Youth Declaration is being co-drafted by young people across 190 countries by the International Organization of Youth. It directly responds to the UN Security Council Resolution This is a youth authorship of an instrument that belongs in this system. Along that, Youth in Action, a global coordinated campaign active in 89 countries from May 16th to 20th, is documenting what youth are actually doing on the ground on peace, security, and governance. The grassroots and global are not separate tracks. They are the same track. The question for this body is whether the system is structured to receive what youth are producing, or whether we keep building consultation mechanisms that absorb youth energy without translating into policy change. Meaningful participation means the output goes somewhere. We are building the infrastructure to make sure it does. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite His Excellency Daniel Garcia, Vice Minister


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:01:05]:

of Human Development from Ecuador. Distinguished representatives, in Ecuador, youth leadership has an important


Ecuador · Vice Minister of Human Development · Daniel Garcia [1:01:21]:

role to play in exercising citizens' power. We recognize that all young people are strategic actors with capacity for change and to take action. A fundamental pillar is focused on youth action. We are supporting and promoting the empowerment and resilience of our young people. This program drives the technical strengthening of youth participation spaces, ensuring safe environments where young people can build solutions in their own territories. This is where we are contributing directly to SDG 8, economic growth and decent work. The results are clear and encouraging. We've already reached out to more than 77,000 direct beneficiaries through strategic monetary transfers. More than 12,551 young people have also benefited and 7,349 have received comprehensive capacity over their lifetimes. And we need to focus our work on areas of poverty and extreme poverty. We are not only walking alongside our young people but also inspiring their potential so that they can be leaders in the future. This investment is proof that Ecuador believes in the success of its citizens. Thousands of young people are choosing the path of growth and becoming the visionary leaders that are going to drive the evolution and well-being of our nation in the future. I thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite Afsana Ahmadi Shrinisukhan from Amna Foundation.


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:03:20]:

Thank you, Chair, Your Excellencies, distinguished speakers, delegates, and esteemed


Amna Foundation · Executive Director · Afsana Ahmadi Shrinisukhan [1:03:25]:

participants. My name is Afsana Ahmadi Shrinisukhan from Afghanistan, founder and executive director of Amna Foundation. Where we work to support the education and leadership of youth, specifically young women and girls from Afghanistan. In discussions on youth leadership, participation is often presented as progress. However, participation without access to decision-making power risks becoming symbolic and performative inclusion rather than transformative. This gap is especially visible in contexts like Afghanistan today, where young women face systematic restrictions on education, employment, and public life. In such environments, the question is no longer only about inclusion within existing systems, but how leadership can exist when those systems themselves are exclusionary. Through my research at George Mason University on women's inclusion in peace processes, one pattern was consistently shown and clear. When access to formal spaces is limited, Young women continue to lead, but often in informal, unrecognized, and under-resourced ways. Yet global frameworks rarely account for these forms of leadership, leaving a disconnect between lived realities and policy design. If youth leadership is to truly shape inclusive and sustainable futures, we must move beyond participation as presence and instead focus on participation as influence. This requires creating pathways that not only include youth but actively redistribute access to decision-making, particularly for those operating under the most constrained conditions. Ultimately, the credibility of our commitments to inclusion will be measured by whether young women, including those in contexts like Afghanistan, are able not only to be heard but to shape outcomes. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite Ms. Cai Liu, Deputy Secretary-General of All-China Youth


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:05:23]:

Federation, China. Thank you. Dear colleagues and young friends, young people are the important driving force


All-China Youth Federation · Deputy Secretary-General · Cai Liu [1:05:31]:

of national and global progress. In China, we have about 370 million young people. This year marks the launch of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which maps out the national economic and social development in the coming 5 years and also includes a section on supporting youth development and engagement by creating a favorable environment. We see that with the guidance of medium and long-term youth plan, more than 30,000 policies and measures have been formulated. The youth development-oriented cities have been widely promoted in more than 200 cities and over 500 counties. Young people actively participate in the national innovation and entrepreneurship competitions and engage in environmental campaigns such as Youth Action for Beautiful China. The number of registered young volunteers nationwide has exceeded 100 million. We work with UN agencies, and various youth organizations to host the World Youth Development Forum to enlighten discussions and solutions. We initiated the Action Plan for Global Youth Development, empowering and networking over 200 youth-led programs across more than 60 countries. We can see how these young practitioners show their strength via leadership and innovation. Maybe small steps by each, but great impact with accumulation of youth power. Dear colleagues and friends, we look forward to further working with you, build friendship, exchange experiences, and strengthen cooperation for our community of shared future. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite Yumi Parajuli, from Interprenari. Namaste, Excellencies and


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:07:37]:

fellow changemakers. I'm Yumi Parazuli, a social entrepreneur working


Interprenari · Co-Founder · Yumi Parajuli [1:07:40]:

at the intersection of gender equity, public health, and global affairs, initiator and co-founder of Interprenari, as well as the Nepal Ambassador for the AFS Youth Assembly. I want to ground this in Nepal's reality, where youth are not just participating in development, they are reshaping it. Over the past year, Generation Z-led movements have driven a political reset demanding accountability and bringing in one of the youngest governments in our history. Here's the question: where are the young women in this shift? Because while youth are rising, women are still facing structural barriers to entering and sustaining power. And beyond politics, the deeper challenge is economic. Youth unemployment remains high, and many leave country, not for lack of ambition, but lack of opportunity. For young women, this is even more complex, balancing unpaid care work, social expectations, and limited access to finance. So the question for us is not just how do we include youth in SDGs, but rather how do we build systems that youth, especially young women, actually trust and can thrive in? From this, I want to highlight 3 priorities. First, move from consultation to co-creation. Second, address jobs structurally. Third, center equity. Nepal teaches us something powerful. Youth are not waiting for permission anymore, and I would add, neither are women. The question is, are our systems ready to trust, resource, and share power with them? Thank you. Jai Nepal. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite Ms. Alexia Pepe-Diorigiou, Youth Delegate from Greece. Distinguished


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:09:31]:

delegates, youth leadership is not a future aspiration. It is a present reality. Around the world,


Greece · Youth Delegate · Alexia Pepe-Diorigiou [1:09:37]:

in communities large and small, Young people are translating urgency into action and vision into change, driving the transformations that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development demands. The task of institutions and governments then becomes to recognize that leadership, support it, and create the conditions for it to flourish. This is not only a matter of inclusion, but of effectiveness. Without youth leadership, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals will remain incomplete. In the area of entrepreneurship and innovation, Greek youth are demonstrating remarkable dynamism. Greece's startup ecosystem has grown substantially in recent years, with young entrepreneurs leading ventures in technology, agriculture tech, and the creative industries. This momentum should be supported through dedicated funding programs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with universities, recognizing that young-led enterprise is a powerful engine for inclusive economic growth. We must therefore ensure that innovation ecosystems are designed not around youth, but with youth as co-creators. Democratic participation is equally central to Greece's vision of youth leadership. Greece has a strong tradition of civic engagement, and we are building on it by strengthening the structures through which young people contribute to public life. National youth councils, local consultative bodies, and digital participation platforms are expanding the space for young voices in governance in an effort to ensure that leadership is not confined to formal institutions, but embedded in communities across the country. Greece is proud of the leadership its young people are showing and remains committed to providing them with the platforms, resources, and trust they need to shape a future that is sustainable, equitable, and inclusive for all, one in which youth leadership is not the exception, but the norm. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite Yuvan Jalan from Project Grow Local. Good afternoon, Your Excellencies, delegates,


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:11:34]:

and fellow youth. Thank you for the floor. We often speak of progress in


Project Grow Local · Yuvan Jalan [1:11:37]:

terms of GDP growth, but in doing so, we risk overlooking the very systems that sustain human life— our soils, our seeds, and our food systems. Growing up in the region of India, and I witnessed fields that no longer resembled ecosystems, production sites— uniform, chemical-dependent, and increasingly fragile. I remember being told not to step in a field because it was unsafe due to pesticide spraying, and I was left with a question that has stayed with me ever since: if it is unsafe to grow, how is it safe to consume? That question is no longer personal, it is systemic. Today, we are not only losing biodiversity, we are losing resilience. Each indigenous seed that disappears reduces our ability to adapt to climate change, to protect farmer livelihoods, and to ensure long-term food security. In response, I founded Project Grow Local, which works to reintroduce indigenous seed varieties, support farmers through market access, and rebuild local agricultural resilience. Through this, we are contributing to the protection of over 600 crop varieties. But initiatives like mine should not be the exception, they should be the norm. As we approach 2030 and we prepare for the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026, we must recognize that smallholder and women farmers are not peripheral actors. They're essential to sustaining biodiversity and food systems, yet they remain undersupported. At the same time, with 1.8 billion young people globally, youth are already stepping forward with solutions. The challenge is not willingness, it is whether systems are willing to trust, support, and scale these efforts. So this question before us is simple: will we continue to treat biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and youth engagement as secondary priorities, or will we act with the urgency that this moment demands? In this context, I urge member states and stakeholders to take 3 steps: to integrate agrobiodiversity into national food security strategies, not as an add-on but as a foundation; to invest in smallholder and women farmers as a key driver of sustainable agriculture; and to move beyond symbolic youth engagement towards real inclusion in implementation and decision-making. Because the cost of inaction is not abstract. It is already visible in our soils, in our farms, Thank you very much. I would now like to invite Miss Vitalina Shevchenko, Youth Delegate from Ukraine. Esteemed delegates,


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:13:46]:

I'm honored to speak as a Ukrainian Youth Delegate to the UN at this plenary session while we discuss youth


Ukraine · Youth Delegate · Vitalina Shevchenko [1:13:52]:

leadership as a force shaping a sustainable and inclusive future. Ukraine continues to suffer from the 5th year of the Russian full-scale invasion and the 13th year of war, which began in Crimea and the east of Ukraine, with Russia systematically targeting not only Ukrainian territory but its people, communities, and younger generation. The Russian Federation has abducted at least 20,000 children, though the real number is likely much higher. At least 697 7 children have been killed by Russia, including 8-year-old Bogdan, killed just yesterday on the first day of this forum. How can we speak about youth leadership and sustainable development while crimes against humanity are being committed in 2026? However, despite all this, Ukrainian youth continue to contribute to national resilience and recovery. And Ukraine continues to act, to reform, and to invest in young people. Even in the context of the full-scale war, young people in Ukraine are successfully and effectively taking on critical roles across society. They serve in security and defense, lead humanitarian initiatives, and drive volunteering efforts across the country. This is a practical example that young people are capable of driving positive positive change across all sectors. It demonstrates that meaningful inclusion is not only possible, even in the context of ongoing war, but also represents a strategic investment for all generations. However, allow me again to stress one point: there can be no sustainable development and youth empowerment without security. There can be— Thank you. I now invite Cecilia Law, World Student Alliance. Thank you, Chair. I'm representing the World Student Alliance today. I


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:16:06]:

would like to share our vision on how youth can better contribute


World Student Alliance · Cecilia Law [1:16:09]:

to our shared goals. Our society is based in University of London, aims to connect student leaders not only in the UK or one region, but across the entire world. At the moment, many universities and local youth organizations are very isolated. They work hard, but they often work alone. First, we propose that youth NGOs should engage more cross-regionally. We need to move beyond the separation of Asia, Europe, or regions. We must work together for our common goals of sustainability because these challenges affect all of us no matter where we live. Secondly, we propose the UN and member states to support young leaders in a practical way. It is important for young people to speak at conferences, but speaking is only the start. We believe the best way for young people to make a real change is to help them get into their professional careers or even get elected into office. This is how we can move from just voicing concerns to actually being part of the solution. Our mission of the society is to support youth to enter the politics leadership, and career so they can turn ideas into action. We hope to see more cooperation between international organizations and student groups to make this possible. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite His Excellency Julian Middelhoff, Ambassador for Youth, Education, and Work and Ms. Anouk Graal, UN Youth


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:17:37]:

Representative for Human Rights and Security from Netherlands. Thank you very much. One thing I've learned over the years in this position is that the most useful policy insights rarely come from behind


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Ambassador for Youth, Education, and Work · Julian Middelhoff [1:17:50]:

a desk. They come from conversations in classrooms, in startups, in youth centers, and from young entrepreneurs sharing the barriers that they face, from young women speaking about their rights, and from students talking about their hopes for the future. Last month, the Netherlands marked 5 years of our Youth at Heart strategy, a strategy built around 2 ideas: helping young people move from learning to earning by connecting education and skills directly to jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities, and second, Ensuring meaningful youth participation. Young people challenge us, and that is exactly why we need them at the heart of policy and decision-making. When we include them meaningfully in our policy processes, our work becomes more honest, sharper, and above all, more relevant. Anouk. Thank you. Nothing about us without us. It's probably one of the sentences we hear most often when talking about youth participation. But who


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · UN Youth Representative for Human Rights and Security · Anouk Graal [1:18:56]:

exactly is the us in this sentence? Far too often, youth participation is still treated as a luxury for the happy few. While some of us are sitting here today, millions of our peers remain far removed from the spaces where decisions about their lives are made. It is time to recognize young people as valuable and equal partners in decision-making. decision-making, not just with your words, but with your actions. Actively engage young people in decision-making, finance youth initiatives fairly, and most importantly, meet us in our spaces instead of waiting for our voices to reach you. If you truly want young people to lead the progress on sustainable future for all, then you should ensure that all of us are empowered to do so, because only then can we be confident that nothing— Time is up. Thank you very much. I would now like to call Rama Burathoki from AFS Youth Assembly. Thank you. Thank you, Chair, and respected everyone


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:20:16]:

in this room. My name is Rama Budathuki, and I'm representing ASF Youth Assembly, and I'm also the


AFS Youth Assembly · Rama Burathoki [1:20:22]:

founder of Global Mahila. So today I'm representing women and girls who once grew up in orphanage homes like I did and who once could not imagine standing in space like United States. Thank you. States, and I want to be clear that this is not the story of PT, it's a story of what became possible when opportunity exists. Today, I want to question whether meaningful youth participation is truly accessible to all young people. We often speak about youth voice, youth engagement, and youth leadership, but the reality is the ability to participate meaningfully is still shaped by where a young person is born, the resources they have, and the opportunity they can access to build confidence, skills and exposures. And when we look at the global pictures, it becomes even more urgent. Hundreds of millions of children and young people are still out of school. That means they are already excluded from the basic system when communication confidence and critical thinking begins to develop. So the question is not only about inclusion in spaces like this, it's about whether the pathway to reach this space is equal in the first place. If the foundation is unequal, a new call, can participation ever be truly equal? And how do we ensure that youth participation is not just about presence in global spaces, but about equal access to the pathways that prepare every young person to meaningfully influence decisions that shape their future? Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite Ms. Bernadette Humer, Director General of Family and Youth from Austria. Dear colleagues, youth leadership is not


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:22:07]:

a promise for tomorrow. It is already shaping our societies today. Across Austria and Europe, young people


Austria · Director General of Family and Youth · Bernadette Humer [1:22:15]:

are active partners in democracy and innovation. As governments, our task is to create the conditions that allow this leadership to grow. Let me highlight 3 priorities where Austria is already taking concrete steps. First, we invest in civic education and participation from an early age. In Austria, young people can vote from the age of 16. Second, We support regular dialogue between young people and decision-makers. In Austria, the Youth Dialogue provides an important platform for exchange between young people and policymakers. Young people were also directly involved in developing the Austrian Youth Strategy to ensure that young perspectives are included in political decisions. And third, we support youth-led projects and ideas. With targeted funding, young people in Austria already contribute solutions in areas such as sustainability, social cohesion, and democratic participation. Austria remains committed to working together with our European and international partners to promote youth participation at international level because a sustainable and inclusive future is not built for young people, it is built with them. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I now invite Aman Angadi from Pragat Foundation. Dear Excellencies, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Aman Angadi,


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:24:08]:

and I'm the founder of the Pragat Foundation, a global youth-led NGO that


Pragat Foundation · Founder · Aman Angadi [1:24:12]:

has translated over 1.5 million words of foundational educational material into 97 languages. We are currently just 4 years away from the 2030 deadline, and one thing is clear: the alternative to meaningful institutional engagement is not silence. It is disruption. If institutions at the local and global levels are too slow to create genuine channels for youth influence, young people will continue to move to the streets and digital spaces to be heard. However, for that engagement to be truly inclusive and avoid a crisis of legitimacy, we must address the invisible barrier of language. We talk about digital activism and technology as tools for transformation, but through our work with multilingual advocates worldwide, I have seen that technology without linguistic equity is just a new form of exclusion. In response to the guiding questions on institutionalizing participation and building trust, first on accountability, governments cannot expect trust from youth if the very policies that shape our lives are published in languages we do not speak. We must institutionalize multilingualism as a rights-based mechanism for participation. If a young person in a marginalized or Indigenous community cannot read a policy, they cannot hold the institution accountable. Second, on financing, we need flexible youth-led financing that doesn't just fund English-speaking NGOs in major capitals. We must invest in the infrastructure of knowledge translation to empower grassroots movements to lead initiatives in their own mother tongues. My call to action is this: let us stop treating youth as passive beneficiaries of information. Let us provide the resources for youth to become the interpreters and architects of their own futures. futures. If we want to innovate, unite, and transform, we must start by speaking a language that the entire world, not just a specific group, can understand. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite His Excellency Chhom Nias Seri, Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports from Cambodia. Excellency, ladies


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:26:16]:

and gentlemen, in Cambodia, young people are driving change of today. Around 60% of our population is under age of 35. That's why empowering youth


Cambodia · Secretary of State · Chhom Nias Seri [1:26:27]:

is at the heart of our development agenda. Guided by the Pentagon Strategy Pathway, Cambodia has made tangible progress to equip young people with the skill, knowledge, and opportunity to lead the with confidence and responsibility. Youth leadership is essential in addressing today's complex and interconnected challenges. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has carried out a number of youth development programs. This initiative has reached thousands of young people across the country, strengthening the leadership capacity, employability, and civic engagement. In addition, provide young people with real opportunity to learn, to lead, to volunteer, to represent their peers, and to make real decisions in their community. We provide Madawakan-based multilingual education for indigenous children in early grades to support their transition into the national curriculum. At the same time, we promote inclusive and special education to ensure all children, including those with disability, have access to learning. Looking ahead, Cambodia commits to inclusive education, scaling up digital skills and knowledge, and creating more opportunities for youth to unlock their full potential. By investing in our young people, we are building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all. Thank you. Thank you very much. I now invite Pamela Balseca from Madison International School. As a young entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate for artificial intelligence


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:28:25]:

with purpose, I have learned that Young people do not build trust in institutions simply


Madison International School · Pamela Balseca [1:28:31]:

because they are invited into the room. Trust is built when they are seen, heard, and taken seriously. It grows when participation is meaningful and when young people can clearly see that their voices have the power to influence decisions and create a real change. In my own journey, I have seen that age does not define the ability to lead. What matters is vision, commitment, and the courage to act. Young people want to believe in political institutions, but that belief must be earned through transparency, accountability, and respect. Institutions must create spaces where youth are involved from the beginning, where commitments are public, process is measurable, and leaders are willing not only to listen but to transform. Technology can play an extraordinary role in this process. It can connect communities, amplify voices, and expand access to information, and turn ideas into action. As someone who works closely with AI leadership and entrepreneurship, I believe that technology can help young people engage with policy in more creative, inclusive, and effective ways. But technology alone is not enough. Artificial intelligence amplifies what we are. That is why young people must not only learn to use technology, but to lead it with emotional intelligence, ethics, and purpose. Innovative pathways such as digital activism, community organizing, and volunteering are already redefining civic participation. Young people are not waiting for formal power to make an impact. They are already mobilizing, advocating, and holding institutions accountable. For me, this is the heart of youth participation. Leadership begins when responsibility— Thank you very much. I now invite Mr. Sunyata Panurat, Youth Delegate from Thailand. Chair, distinguished delegates, Fellow youth, we stand at a defining moment with just


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:30:43]:

4 years left until 2030. The world is not lacking in commitment but is struggling to


Thailand · Youth Delegate · Sunyata Panurat [1:30:48]:

turn them into meaningful actions. Today, there are 2.6 billion young people globally, among the largest generations in history. We are not only beneficiaries of development but also shaping it as innovators, community leaders, and change makers. Yet youth participation in decision-making process is at times inconsistent and often symbolic. Youth engagement mechanisms can be inaccessible, underfunded, and disconnected from real decision-making. As a result, young people are turning to the streets and digital platforms because of the limited space for youth voice in the formal systems. This is not just a gap in participation, This is a gap in power. Without meaningful youth engagement, institutions risk losing trust and effectiveness. But when they do, youth leadership becomes a powerful force development and the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals. From my perspective as a Thai youth, while national strategies are often well designed, the real challenge lies in implementation at the local level especially in reaching marginalized communities. This reflects a broader global pattern, and to move forward, we must shift from consultation to co-creation. Governments must embed youth in decision-making with real influence, not just symbolic roles. We must also invest in youth-led solutions because youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, we are also partners of today. Thank you. Thank you very much. With that, I would like to thank you all for the insights, engagement, and expertise that you have brought to this session today. Let us also have a quick


SARC Youth Platform · Moderator · Sonika Paudel [1:32:43]:

look at the visual from our scribe earlier. So as we can see, the visual has creatively captured the major themes discussed in this session. We would also be continuing to see how it advances through the second segment of the session as well. That concludes segment 1 of the session, and I will now like to pass back to the president of ECOSOC. Thank you. I thank the moderator, Sonika, for skillfully guiding our discussions. I also thank the distinguished speakers for their presentations and the delegations and youth


ECOSOC · President of ECOSOC [1:33:36]:

representatives for your meaningful participations. And contributions. We'll continue with the list of speakers in accordance with the expressions of interest received following the panel presentations of the second segment. I will now briefly pause the meeting to allow for the podium to be rearranged for the second segment, entitled From Civic Action to Institutional Influence. Please remain seated. Thank you, everyone. Honorable ministers, excellencies. distinguished delegates, youth leaders. The forum will now hold segment 2 of its plenary sessions entitled From Civic Action to Institutional Influence. I am pleased to welcome our distinguished speakers. I am also pleased to welcome Ms. Mehalath Reddy, Executive Director of Women Economic Empowerment of Africa and the Global Youth Caucus for Decent Work and Sustainable Economies, who will moderate the discussions. I now invite the moderator to conduct the sessions. Many thanks, Your Excellency. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the second segment of our plenary. In the previous discussion, we heard clearly that young people are mobilizing,


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [1:38:27]:

organizing, and leading a change, even in the most challenging context. But we also heard the structural barriers continue to limit— to limit how energy translates into real influence. This brings us to the focus of the session, because the question is no longer whether young people are part— The question is, how do we move from participation to power? It's my pleasure to introduce our speaker, our first speaker, Lena Goijns, Member of Secretary-General Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. Our second speaker, Ms. Federica Onorio, Vice Chair of OSCEPA Network of Young Parliamentarians Italy. and Special Representative on AI. And our third speaker, Reina Kawasaki, like, a founder and director of Earth Guardians. Thank you all for joining us. So let me start with a simple question for all of us: how do we move from participation to real influence and ultimately to shared power? I would like to invite each speaker to share 1 minute Reaction brief. Lena, may I start with you? Good afternoon, everyone. As many youth have highlighted here today, I believe that participation is not the same thing as power sharing. Moving from participation to power sharing


Secretary-General Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change · Member · Lena Goijns [1:40:01]:

means shifting youth from being consulted to actually shaping decisions and outcomes, whether in governments or spaces like the United Nations. First, it's about co-decision. Young people need real seats at the table with real voting power and influence, not just the opportunity to share their opinions. Second, it's about resources. When youth help decide how funding is allocated through things like participatory budgeting, that's when influence becomes tangible. Third, it's about accountability. If institutions collect youth input, they should be required to respond, explain their decisions, and be held accountable when they fall short. And finally, this power has to be inclusive, reaching beyond a small group of privileged youth to reflect diverse voices. Because at the end of the day, participate— participation is being invited into the room, but power is helping shape what happens inside of it. Thank you. Thank you very much. Your Excellency, over to you. Thank you very much. Thank you for inviting me in the first place. It's a big honor for me to be here. So, how to move from participation to power?


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [1:41:19]:

To me, this means to move from being an activist to


OSCEPA · Vice-Chair · Federica Onorio [1:41:24]:

be somebody who does politics. What's the difference? If you're an activist, you can focus on just one sector. If you are in politics, you need to consider all relevant sectors and the interplay between them. It means that you do not only represent the social group you belong to, you need to represent all the society, which could be the community you live in, which could be the country if you are a parliamentarian. Power is not a privilege. I know it might sound rhetoric, but I do believe it, and I do feel it in my everyday work. It's not a privilege, it's a huge responsibility. And if we think of somebody being in a position of power, we want to be sure that this person is not there just representing himself, herself, the social group he or she belongs to, that he's aware of all the complexity of the society he or she has to represent, and that the work is done in a very concrete and specific way. So point number 2, how to move to power. To me, it means to move from being abstract, use slogans, to be very concrete, and to be as specific as possible in the solutions you are creating and proposing to the other. And in the third place, if I still have 10 seconds left, I'm not aware how it works in non-democratic countries, but I do have experience in democratic countries. There, to be in power, you need to run in elections and convince people, the majority of people, that you have good solutions. And this requires a big dose of humility, which I think is good to remind us from time to time. Thank you for your input. Reina, please. Yes, hello, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Reina Kawasaki. I am an activist from Osaka, Japan, and I think I have a very specific and


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [1:43:29]:

unique experience with institutions


Earth Guardians · Founder and Director · Reina Kawasaki [1:43:31]:

and changemaking. I started my youth activism activism back when I was 15, founding my organization Earth Guardians Japan with my friend Tanishka. And I started in corporation in Japan, being the youngest board member in a company for the company Euglena, which produces biofuel from microorganisms. And finally, I have had experience with governments, municipal governments such as Niihama, as an intern, as a co-creator, and as a policy advisor. And finally, I've realized that more youth need to be in academia, in policy advising, so I founded my lab, Kawaka Lab, where I give funding and send youth into different municipal governments in Japan to actually monitor what's going on there in terms of youth participation. And I think this is a great question to start off with, just because I think that we've talked a lot about listening to youth, but we didn't really talk about how to give youth valid criticism. And I think that this is a very important distinction when we're going from activism to co-creation. I have a very specific example that I will keep brief. I remember when I first was working with the government of Niihama, they were trying to find ways to bring youth under the age of 30 to municipal government youth decision-making spaces, of which there were less than 3% of the entire population at the time. Niihama is also called a dying city. Yes. city, which is a very prevalent expression in Japan. And we proposed— we as a youth policy team proposed this idea where we would put a big blue post box in the middle of the city to accumulate youth opinion. Now, this proposal was passed, but then we spent more time with government officials and staff members having dinner together and talking together about the policy when they kind of told me that this isn't really an effective solution, this is just a very symbolic one, which made me realize that we as youth and our opinions are treated as kind of something that's fragile, something that can only be listened to. But when we were able to spend more time and actually gain valid criticism from this, it turned into a much more wider and much more effective solution, which was a QR code system where we placed QR codes around the city and that youth could just scan it and insert their opinion in. And when I proposed this, I was a junior in high Now I'm a junior in college and it's still being implemented in the city today. I think that speaks volumes about giving effective criticism and co-creation in policy. Thank you. Many thanks for all those thoughtful reflections. Let's now explore these issues more in depth. Leyna, let me start with you. What accountability mechanisms are most effective in strengthening


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [1:46:09]:

true Trust between young people and institutions, and what does meaningful participation look like in practice? I think when we talk about accountability between youth and institutions, we have to start with and be frank about the reasons why young people are often hesitant to trust institutions. There are


Secretary-General Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change · Member · Lena Goijns [1:46:29]:

already limited opportunities for youth to engage with institutions. Consultations, roundtables, and forums such as this one often require youth to overcome structural barriers and sacrifice time that could have been used to earn income, caretake for family members, or pursue education. I myself am missing core classes at my high school to be here, and I'm sure many of you— the youth here today are either in the same boat or have made much larger sacrifices to be at the forum today. So when we get here, we would hope that it would feel like we're being listened to. But very often, young people walk away not really knowing what we changed because we were here. And over time, that creates a sense of frustration, apathy, and fatigue. That's where accountability becomes so important. Hope in institutions is built through follow-through. It grows when you can point to something and say, I was part of that, and it made a difference. When that connection isn't visible, trust starts to erode. So how do we make accountability real in a way that young people can feel and see? One simple but powerful step is closing the feedback loop. When young people are asked for input, there should be a clear and public follow-up. What was heard? What decisions were made? And what comes next? That alone can shift how participation feels and encourage continued participation and action. It also means creating roles for young people that are ongoing, not occasional or one-off. Spaces where they're consistently part of conversations and decisions, not just invited to listen in at certain times. Another important piece is giving young people the ability to track progress themselves, whether that's through scorecards, monitoring progress, or simply having access to transparent information about what institutions have committed to. And then there's the question of outcomes. When young people can see that their ideas connect to real policies, real funding decisions, or real changes in their communities, trust becomes something concrete. And all of this has to be inclusive, of course. The young people in these spaces should reflect the diversity of young people more broadly. Otherwise, the gap in trust grows. At the end of the day, accountability is what makes participation feel meaningful. It allows young people to see that their time, their ideas, their sacrifices, and their energy actually matter. So young people in this room, keep pushing for your causes, please, please, please. And institutional leaders in this room who say you value youth engagement, please walk the walk as much as you talk the talk and do your part to ensure accountability. Thank you. Thank you. Your Excellency, turning to you. From your experience, how can institutions, particularly parliaments, better harness youth voice to inform and shape public policy? What formal pathways


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [1:49:26]:

are most effective? Thank you very much. I will mention a couple of points. First point is, we can create formal pathways, so youth advisory boards, youth councils, and structured dialogue mechanisms. Some parliaments already


OSCEPA · Vice-Chair · Federica Onorio [1:49:43]:

have this. I want to mention Albania, North Macedonia, Slovenia, for example. Other parliaments are working in order to get to that point. What I want to say is that also institutions, some institutions worked really hard in order to have these advisory and counseling moments with youth people, and the DOCPA, which which I have the honor to represent today, which is the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the branch of the Parliamentary Assembly. There, with the network of young parliamentarians— we might discuss what young is, but this is for another minute, maybe later on. But still, we have this network of young parliamentarians since, of course, within parliaments, younger parliamentarians are less represented. We have this initiative going on for a few years now, which is called Youth Perspective Initiative, which is basically the organization of national-based workshops in our countries that then deliver insights and inputs for the resolution that we propose during our annual conference. This resolution is put at vote, and if the majority vote in favor of it, this becomes the position of or CPA on a certain matter, and this year's matter was housing affordability, for example. So we try to understand what argument can be of interest and relevant for young people. A second way in order to achieve this dialogue, this connection, can be a cross-party group of MPs. What are they? These are groups of MPs that are sensitive and interested in getting to know better the youth perspective on certain things. And these groups usually are born from the initiative of one single MP. But what I would like— I mean, I want to— I'm happy to take this moment maybe to give some ideas. If your parliaments do not have one, ask them in order to build one, because— Thank you. This realizes a cross-party collaboration, which in a polarized moment as we are living in is particularly important. And email all of them asking to create such form of dialogue, of structured dialogue.


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [1:52:07]:

And if they do not reply, say it out loud. Look, our MPs do not reply to us. So this would help to create accountability both ways. So young people take responsibility for suggesting something and those who are supposed to represent them take responsibility


Earth Guardians · Founder and Director · Reina Kawasaki [1:52:26]:

for listening or not listening to them. Thanks. Many thanks, Your Excellency. Reyna, let me bring you in. Intergenerational collaboration is often highlighted as essential, but in practice it can be uneven. How can we make it how can we make it more effective and more equitable? Thank you for that question. And I'm very honored to speak third after Alina pointed out about the feedback loop. And also, Frederica, you also pointed out about how to actually engage institutions in doing such kind of— to breaking that feedback loop, as I say. And I think a primary point that the past panel and also the other conversations that I've been hearing over the past few days have been pointing out are people who are in the room and not in the room. And I also wanted to shout out the MP from Madagascar who couldn't be here today. But I think it's important as someone that's in the room right now to bring up my experience with understanding people who aren't in the room this summer. So actually, last summer I went to Sendai in Japan where I went to this organization called Atori Eji which is a nonprofit organization in Sendai that helps to connect youth. Japan has this kind of large crisis called hikikomori or futoko, which means that youth that are facing mental health issues or disabilities that can't or don't want to go to school. And this organization, using arts education, brings in these youth to leave no one behind in their communities. And actually, I was part of one of the first cohorts that was helped by this organization. So it was cool to go back and like live in that organization for 2 months and actually listen to the people who are on the ground. And I realized a couple of things while being there. The leader of that organization, who we affectionately called Don-chan, I remember him like pulling off like a kid from his back being like, I'm too busy to attend these kind of advisory sessions, like I'm too busy handling all of these grassroots kind of problems that are happening. This kid that doesn't want to go to school, this kid that is suffering from poverty, this kid that can't go to school because of bullying. And these sorts of things are happening every day, overwhelming him with these all and preventing him from going to these kinds of advisory sessions where he could actually get his voice heard. And I remember thinking, these are the barriers that prevent people who have opinions that should be heard in these rooms to go into these rooms and actually influence policy. And I am here to kind of demand that we meet people where they are today. So organizations that are in this room, delegations that are in this room, I think in order to create intergenerational collaboration, I think recognizing these people who aren't able to be in these rooms is crucial to a step forward. And I think that, for example, An example that I saw that saw through my research lab in Japan was that placing recently recently retired educators such as principals that still have connections to individual youth who cannot come to the table is extremely important, and not just generational politicians that have had fathers or grandparents as politicians, but these educators that have been there since day one supporting these kids is extremely. excruciatingly important. And being in this room here today made me realize this is my first time in the UN, and it's super cool to kind of see all of these different voices being represented and seeing a space that I only saw on the screen. And I kind of want to end my remarks off by saying that I hope I never forget the awe that I feel in this room, and I hope we all don't forget the awe that we feel in this room and the voices that we were able to hear today. There was a lot of talk today about who's not in the room, but I think that now that all of us are in this room today, I hope that we recognize that because of this panel that is about institutions, I want us to recognize that institutions are fundamentally made up by people, and we are people. And all of the policies and the change-making opportunities that I've had in Japan come from the fact that one adult was able to open that door door for me. And I think that when we walk out of this grand hall today and we go out there and we do all of the amazing things that we're doing here today, I hope we never forget the power and the privilege that we had in walking into this


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [1:56:55]:

room. And, and I want to end off by saying that us youth that were able to speak here today, we should recognize our privilege and our power that has brought us here today. And I hope that we continue feeling that power and this That's all that I feel in the room today here. Thank you. Many thanks, Rana. And thank you to everyone who contributed to this rich panel. Let me briefly highlight a few key takeaways. We heard clearly that moving from voice to influence requires institutional change. Participation on its own is not enough. It must be resourced, accountable, and embodied in decision-making process. We were also reminded that participation is not automatically meaningful, representation is not automatically influence, and power sharing does not happen by default. It requires intentional and institutional redesign. So thank you all very much. Thank you. We will now open the floor for intervention. We invite participants to keep their remarks to 2 minutes. As a reminder, please note that the request from the floor should be made by pressing microphone button in front of you. If you do not have a microphone in front of you, please raise your hand. Like before, we will go through the pre-identified speakers and take more intervention, time permitting. Member states will be given a floor based on expression of interest, interest received. I'd like to remind speakers that in order to give those wishing to speak the opportunity to make— to take the floor, the time limits will be strictly applied, including through muting microphones. I also would like to remind speakers to kindly


Azerbaijan · Organization of Turkic States · Head of Youth Affairs Department · Olivia Akudova [1:58:50]:

deliver at a normal speaking speed and to send copies, copies of statement to e-statements@un.org to facilitate interpretation. Thank you so much. And I would like to call Ms. Olivia Akudova, the Head of Youth Affairs Department of Ministry of Youth and Sport, Azerbaijan. Mr. President, the full version of the joint statement will be available on our own UN Journal. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of member states of the Organization of Turkic States, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and my country, Azerbaijan. The United Nations has long recognized that the imaginations, ideals, and energies of young people are vital to the continued development of the societies in which they live. In the regards, we are committed to strengthening national capacities in youth and to expanding the quality and range of opportunities available to young people for their full, effective, and constructive participation in society. Effective youth policies that enable young people to actively participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development are essential for us, particularly as young people constitute more than 40% of the population in the member states of the Organization of Turkish States. Mr. President, we recognize the role of youth in advancing the SDGs and their resilience and positive contribution as agents of change. Aiming to promote youth empowerment, we are implementing measures in line with the Turkish World Vision 2040 policy document adopted at the 8th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in 2021. In conclusion, we reiterate our strong commitment for fostering an environment in which young people can come together, share ideas, experience, aspirations, and participate


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:00:50]:

in the process affecting them. These, in other words, form the basis of advancing youth cooperation to strengthen


International Youth Organization · Pedro Duval [2:00:58]:

cultural and humanitarian ties that can a vision of mutual understanding, solidarity, and a common future among the Turkish states. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. I would like to call Pedro Duval, International Youth Organization, for Ebro American. Muchas gracias. Thank you very much. And this is why when young people move away from institutional channels, it is not because of apathy or because of political disinterest. It is because they do not trust these fora to resolve their real material issues— decent employment, dignified living conditions, amongst others. Trust is not established through trust. Trust is established By actions. Institutionalizing meaningful participation means making it permanent, giving it a mandate, resources, and equipping it with the potential to really make a difference. And in this regard, we defend at least 5% of climate funding being destined for young people and broadening ODA to youth initiatives. Ultimately, it's about the distribution of resources and power, the 2 parts of real meaningful participation. We think that this is time to define this. We must have joint responsibility across


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:03:05]:

generations to ensure social justice, otherwise


Spain · Youth Delegate · Irene Gurrito Munoz [2:03:08]:

we would deepen the divide of trust. We reaffirm our commitment to continue working with states and the United Nations system to build institutional frameworks that make this meaningful. I thank you. Ms. Irene Gurrito Munoz, Youth Delegate from Spain. Muchas gracias. Thank you very much, distinguished panelists. All young people need youth policies, but they're not all going to find the appropriate channels for participation. The youth report on Spain reflects that 57% of our youth population shows interest in politics, but at the same time, they fail the institutions with 4 out of 10. It's clear that it's not— rejection of politics but the traditional structures for participation. Given the situation, young people are not standing still. On the one hand, institutional spaces such as the Youth Council are driving formal youth participation in the development of public policies and their elaboration through tools such as Youth Test. And this— on the other hand, some young people are looking at other options closer to home such as volunteering volunteering, but our capacity to mobilize does not always lead to effective impact. And the main challenge is incorporating young people in a real sense in decision-making forum, giving them resources. We have some initiatives in Spain. Firstly, we have a Youth Ministers Council. We've done this through the creation of a younger ministerial council. We also have a coordinated law on young people through the Youth Ministry which has allowed 50,000 young people to participate in legislative processes beyond mere consultation, but actually they create their own channels of communications with the public administration. Thirdly, we have implemented European youth programs and this is reaching more and more people from more and more diverse backgrounds every year. year, but


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:05:19]:

we still need to go further. It's fundamental


Misk Foundation · Ghaida Al-Dahri [2:05:20]:

for institutions to ensure effective implementation of these practices to broaden access to resources and strengthen informal participation. This is the only way to ensure real youth participation. I would like to call Ghaida Al-Dahri in step. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Ghaida Al-Dahri and I'm honored to join you as a delegate from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Representing the Misk Foundation. It's a privilege to speak on behalf of a delegation committed to advancing youth contribution to shaping future they'll inherit. A key challenge we continue to see is that youth participation is often framed as engagement rather than ownership. More important than inviting young people into spaces is ensuring they have the authority and resources to shape outcomes, which is essential to building trust in institutions. From my experience within Misk programs, a key driver of Saudi Vision 2030's focus on on human capital and youth empowerment, what builds trust is not access alone, but agency. In environments where youth are entrusted with the same resources and responsibilities as more experienced professionals, they begin to see themselves not as participants, but as decision-makers as well. Having experienced this shift, it has shaped my own journey. It pushed me to question barriers within my field and take action bridging scientific research and policies through initiatives I've built within my community. This is what meaningful power sharing looks like in practice, not only supporting youth but enabling them to create, lead, and implement solutions as well. To move forward, institutions must embed this model structurally, shifting from consultation to co-creation and from inclusion to shared ownership. This shift must be matched by investing in youth capacity, equipping them with the skills to contribute to economies as well as to design and implement policies that create real societal impact. Across programs


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:07:08]:

and institutions, this can be achieved by extended project-based learning beyond theory to include the implementation and evaluation of


Burkina Faso · Chief of Staff · Abdullahi Otar [2:07:14]:

policies in practice. If we want youth to shape the future, we must first trust them to build it. Thank you. Thank you so much. I would like to call Mr. Abdullahi Otar, Chief of Staff of Ministry of Sport and Youth, Youth and Employment from Burkina Faso. Mr. President. Chair, distinguished delegates, we come from a country where almost 80% of the population is under 35 years of age, and rather than being a disadvantage, this is a strength. It is a source of new ideas and the bedrock for the future. We want a country that is led by young people under the leadership of His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Faso and Head of State. Young people have decided to take their destiny in hand. We are convinced that sustainable and inclusive development requires active and effective participation of young people at all stages of public policy, especially in the areas of development, human rights, but also peace and security. This is why young people should be fully mobilized as stakeholders in crisis prevention for social cohesion and in combating poverty and lack of education, all of the barriers that hinder the development of nations. This is also why states should invest more in employment, education, entrepreneurship, and


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:09:07]:

young people's citizen participation. And this is why Burkina Faso has adopted our national


IGAD · Zeyma Embezam Sebhatu [2:09:14]:

development plan from 2026 through 2030. We have an ambition of development that is based on the participation of all layers of society. I thank you. I would like to call Seyma Mbezam Sebhatu from IGAD. Zeyma Embezam Sebhatu from IGAD. Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, and fellow delegates, my name is Zeyma, an Ethiopian American working at the intersection of humanitarian service and cultural advocacy with a community over 700,000 people across platforms that I mobilize for awareness and action. I stand before you as a part of a generation positioned between worlds, globally connected through the diaspora, yet deeply rooted in the realities of our communities. For us, the Sustainable Development Goals are not distant targets. They are daily realities. Across Ethiopia and many parts of Africa, access to clean water, sanitation, and basic services remains unequal. At the same time, young people, especially women, are innovating in energy, technology, and communication, community solutions, yet remain excluded from funding and decision-making. This is not a lack of talent. It is a lack of access. At the same time, culture must be recognized not only as a heritage, but as a strategic tool. Through storytelling and media, we have the power to reshape narratives, strengthen global understanding, and mobilize action at scale. This is where the diaspora plays a critical role, not only as a source of reminiscences, but as a bridge of knowledge, innovation, and global connection. To move forward, we must act with intention, expand access to financing for young women, integrate diaspora expertise into development systems, and invest in youth-led solutions


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:11:26]:

that connect local impact to global opportunity. Excellencies, the road to 2030 must be shaped by those closest to the challenges, and closest to the solutions. We are ready to lead, but we must be included as


Bulgaria · Youth Delegate · Jura Trifova [2:11:39]:

a priority. Thank you. Thank you so much. I would like to invite Ms. Jura Trifova, Youth Delegate from Bulgaria. Microphone to Bulgaria. Miss Yuria? Okay. Can you move to the next? Okay. This is the mic. Sorry? Okay, thank you. I'll start again. Thank you. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is hard to be young and ambitious. We are taught to be patient and to wait for more experience and wisdom, for our turn to be heard, and for a place at the table. But the future does not wait. And neither can youth leadership. In a world marked by conflict, division, and elusive truth, young people are not the leaders of the future. We are the leaders of today. In Bulgaria, young people continue to volunteer in times of crisis and continue to contribute actively through youth councils and civil society platforms, even when such opportunities are not presented easily to them, the Bulgarian youth demonstrate true leadership and initiative, not as a future title to aspire to, but as a responsibility of today. The United Nations has already provided a clear framework through the Pact for the Future, Youth 2030, and in the call for meaningful participation. The message is clear: young people must not be spoken for, We must be spoken with, not occasionally or symbolically, but consistently and meaningfully. Thus, the critical question is not whether we are ready to lead; it is whether the world is ready to listen. The future cannot be truly sustainable


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:14:05]:

unless it is rooted in justice. It cannot be inclusive unless everyone has a hand. in building it, and it will not endure unless young people help shaping


Global Indigenous Caucus · Focal Point · Eduardo Partala [2:14:15]:

it from the very beginning. This beginning starts today. Thank you. Thank you so much. I would like to invite Eduardo Partala, Indigenous Youth Network of Latin America and Caribbean, and the Global Indigenous Caucus. As the focal point of Latin America and Latin America and the Caribbean, I'm speaking from the most biodiverse region of our planet and talk about how we are transforming resistance into concrete solutions for the 2030 Agenda. In the territories of the indigenous people, we are driving proposals to deal with global challenges such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and structural inequalities through concrete actions that strengthen resilience and sustainability. However, these contributions are not being sufficiently acknowledged or incorporated into decision-making systems. This limits their impact and weakens trust in the processes for indigenous people. And this is why we encourage and urge member states to firstly institutionalize mechanisms, binding mechanisms that are going to ensure full and meaningful participation of young people, especially those from indigenous communities in underrepresented contexts. We must strengthen existing pathways, and we must guarantee also direct and guaranteed funding for initiatives that are led by indigenous people. The requirements on NGOs should not be the same, given that organizations have their own governance and legitimate governance systems. And thirdly, the development of AI and new technologies is especially should share indigenous knowledge, should include our vision as well as decolonized


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:16:28]:

forms of knowledge. Access to these technologies is currently limited, and this is why we must achieve greater balance in digital access with the in-person


Ireland · Deputy Permanent Representative · Donald Cronin [2:16:40]:

spaces, especially in rural contexts. Thank you. Thank you. I would like, I would like to call His Excellency Donald Cronin, Deputy Permanent Representative, and Ms. Carla, UN Youth Delegate of Ireland. Thank you, Chair. Today's session is an important reminder that young people should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of policy, but as active partners and leaders in shaping it. While much progress has been made, more work remains to be done to ensure that the voices of all young people,


Ireland · UN Youth Delegate · Carla Fouchard Wallace [2:17:18]:

regardless of their circumstances or abilities, are fully heard on the range of decisions that affect them. I will now hand the floor to one of Ireland's UN Youth Delegates, Carla Fouchard Wallace. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Ambassador. Chair, Excellencies, and fellow delegates. Around the world, young people are organizing, innovating, and building community resilience. Yet too often, our participation ends at consultation. We are invited to speak but not empowered to contribute to decisions. To build an inclusive future for all, we must create participation pathways that are accessible and accountable. That means providing civic education to young people to ensure participatory democracy, including through non-formal education, resourcing youth-led organizations, and ensuring safe spaces for marginalized voices. Placing legitimacy in youth leadership is essential to create trust among young people in the institutions that are designed to work for them. It also means building trust through transparency, with clear review processes that show how youth input can and does shape policy, including through youth councils, seats on advisory bodies, and measurable targets for youth representation. The Core Principles for Meaningful


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:18:40]:

Youth Participation launched by the UN Youth


BIEG · Lan Lan [2:18:42]:

Office this year provide a timely roadmap to move from commitment to action. Decisions cannot be made about us without us. Go raibh maith agaibh. Thank you. I would like to call Lan Lan from BIEG. Good afternoon, distinguished delegates, dear friends from around the world. My name is Lan Lan and I'm a young researcher from Beijing Capital Normal University and I also come from the BIEG. It is a great honor to speak this session on From Civic Actions to Institutional Influence. During COVID-19, my best friend suffered several mental health challenges under overwhelming academic pressure. Eventually, she lost her chance to enter her dream universities, became socially isolated, and I lost contact with her. That experience led me to take civic actions. I conducted a survey among 500 university students in Beijing. To understand the real mental health conditions of young people. The findings are concerning. 45% of students experience anxiety and 21% face risk of depression, mainly driven by academic and employment pressure. But more importantly, I found that universities with strong mental health support systems show higher learning efficiency and significantly lower dropout This reveals a critical truth: mental health is not separate from education and is a foundation of quality education. Yet today, in many education systems, mental health is still not fully integrated into how we define or measure SDG 4. So the question is, how can we move from civic actions to institutional influence Based on my research, I would like to propose 3 practice steps. First, integrate mental health


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:20:48]:

education into daily campus life. Second, establish peer support systems among students.


Pakistan · Youth Delegate · Bessima Gamar [2:20:55]:

Third, build accessible online and offline mental health services. Civic actions start from— Thank you so much. I would like to call— thank you. I would like to call Ms. Bessima Gamar, Youth Delegate from Pakistan. Thank you so much, Honorable President and distinguished delegates. There's a very thin line between exposure and exploitation, and at the very heart of it lies the very word that we're always hearing, inclusion, because inclusivity isn't just bounded till gender. Age, religion, socioeconomic class, and especially people with disabilities as well. So it's great to be the first, but it's more better to be the first of many, and that is what the collective goal should be. So as a representative from Pakistan, I would like to shed some light on the Prime Minister's Youth Program initiatives, and at the forefront is the National Youth Council formation, a council bringing together individuals from all parts of Pakistan, all walks of life to acknowledge, educate, and empower them. Under that umbrella, we've been focusing on the 4 E's principle, which is employment, education, engagement, and of course, the environment. Under this, we've been doing initiatives like the Green Youth Movement, the Digital Hub, distributing laptops out of our— giving accessibility to all these youth, and of course, many other initiatives like Young Entrepreneurial Awards, innovation awards, and so forth. So one thing that I would really like to give out as a message today to everyone sitting here, quite honestly, there's enough sunshine for everyone, and the power of collaboration is at the forefront when we talk about anything,


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:22:41]:

seeing a sustainable and inclusive future. So let's all come together


Mera Asman NGO · Ashika Goyal [2:22:44]:

to collaborate irrespective of where you're from, what you're doing, what age you are, or even what country you're representing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. I'd like to call Ashika Goyal, Mera Asman NGO. Thank you for the floor. My name is Ashika Goyal and I represent Mera Asman, an initiative working at the grassroots in India to advance education and gender equity, where youth leadership is lived within complex realities. Through this work, I've seen how structural barriers shape opportunity, whether in education access or digital inclusion. And yet, these constraints are not only barriers, they are also sites of innovation. India today reflects a dual shift. Initiatives like Digital India alongside digital public infrastructure such as Aadhaar and UPI are expanding access to services and finance, and participation at scale. At the same time, the NEP, that is the National Educational Policy 2020, seeks to position young people not just as learners, but as contributors within a broader civic framework. Today, India's digital public infrastructure reaches over a billion people, with UPI alone processing billions of transactions monthly. Demonstrating how scale can be aligned with inclusion. At the institutional level, what we are witnessing is an early shift from youth being consulted episodically to being gradually integrated into governance processes at local and national levels. But inclusion without decision-making authority remains incomplete. This signals a deeper transition from inclusion as consultation to inclusion as influence. The question is whether governance systems are ready to structurally


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:24:41]:

integrate that leadership because we are not witnessing or waiting to be included.


Indonesia · Youth Delegate · Adita Wensu [2:24:46]:

We are already shaping the systems around us. The question is whether institutions are ready to do the same. Thank you. Thank you so much. I'd like to call Mr. Adita Wensu. A youth delegate from Indonesia. Okay, thank you, Chair. Indonesia is home to over 60 million young people, with more than 80% connected to the internet, creating new opportunities for innovation, participation, and transformation. But in the same time, persistent disparities remain. Youth employment is still above the national average, and access to opportunities is still uneven. This underscores a fundamental gap: participation doesn't automatically lead to influence. In solution, Indonesia advanced a comprehensive youth and development approach focused on awareness, empowerment, and capacity building, including leadership training, entrepreneurship, and active participation in governance. These efforts have delivered progress. Indonesia has been categorized as the high from the Global Youth Development Ranking in 2023 and among fastest-growing performers in the past decade. Therefore, we offer 3 key pillars recommendation. First, institutionalize youth participation in formal governance. Second, investing


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:26:45]:

in capacity. Third, ensuring inclusivity so no one is left behind. Youth leadership is not only about creating space but about sharing


International Association for Youth and Students for Peace · Director · Sophia Nichols [2:26:56]:

ownership in shaping our collective future. Thank you. Gracias. Thank you so much. I would like to call Sophia Nicholas, International Association of Youth and Youth Institutions for Peace. Thank you for the floor, Chair and distinguished delegates. My name is Sophia Nichols, representing the International Association for Youth and Students for Peace as the UK Director and the SDG 16 Global Youth Caucus. We are here today not simply because youth deserve a seat at the table, but because the world desperately needs what we bring to it. Many of today's leaders inherited frameworks built on competition and exclusion. Our generation has an opportunity and a responsibility to lead differently, and we're already doing so in communities, in classrooms, in conflict zones, which we have heard from so many inspiring youth already these past 2 days. Through my personal grassroots peacebuilding experience across the UK, Nepal, Lebanon, and Kosovo, I have learned that the most powerful leadership is not a title, it is empathy in action. Last year, the global military spending reached over $3 trillion worldwide, whilst ODA financing was under $200 billion. We call for greater investment in soft skills development for all young people, conflict mediation, empathetic leadership, and cross-cultural dialogue, so that every young person becomes a peacemaker, not just those already privileged enough to enter formal spaces. We do not simply want power, we want to transform what power means towards stewardship, towards care, towards genuine accountability for all people. Lastly, I am pleased to share that we are co-organizing a consultation for the the Second Progress Study on Youth, Peace, and Security, taking place from April 17th to 18th here in New York. This event is being held in collaboration with the UN Secretariat on YPS. It will serve as a collaborative space


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:28:41]:

for young people to generate concrete youth-led recommendations that will feed directly


Peru · Charge d'Affaires · Juan Pablo Vega Torres [2:28:46]:

into the study and subsequent SG's report. The future does not wait, and neither should we. Thank you. Thank you. I would like to call Mr. Juan Pablo Vega Torres, Charge d'Affaires from Peru. Gracias. Thank you. In Peru, youth represents approximately 23% of the population. In the general elections of this past weekend, almost 7 million young people were entitled to vote, or 25% of the voters. Political participation and leadership of Peruvian youth is marked by economic, social, and territorial divides. The participation of young citizens is one of the priorities of our youth policy. Through the National Secretariat of Youth, we're promoting opportunities for participation training that during the first quarter of 2026 have led to concrete initiatives such as regional youth meetings, the Young UN Delegates Program, and capacity building. In this framework, it's a privilege to give the floor to one to institutionalize a youth program associated with the United Nations. We have raised our voice here in this room and our participation is not


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:30:49]:

limited to the statement. We are involved in various types of UN activities. This is a coalition that demonstrates what can be achieved through a multisectoral


Youth Advocacy Network · Major Group for Children and Youth · Danish Tariq [2:31:03]:

approach. Thank you. We need more countries in the region to institutionalize formal mechanisms of youth participation. I'd like to call Danish Tariq, Youth Advocacy Network. Thank you for the floor, Excellencies and distinguished colleagues. My name is Danish Tariq and I'm from Pakistan. I'm speaking on behalf of Youth Advocacy Network and Major Group for Children and Youth. Young people today are not only lacking participation, but we are actually lacking influence. Across global, regional, and national spaces, youth are engaged. We are invited, and we contribute, yet too often these contributions do not translate into decision-making power, nor are they reflected in outcomes. This creates a deeper challenge, not just of participation, but of trust and partnership. When young people do not see how their inputs shape policies, It weakens confidence in institutions and pushes engagement outside formal systems. And as we have seen globally, youth will continue to organize. The question is whether institutions are ready to engage meaningfully or not. So the way forward is, of course, spaces but better systems. First, we need to institutionalize youth engagement, making it continuous, resourced, and embedded within government processes rather than the ad hoc consultations. Second, we must strengthen accountability and feedback mechanisms, ensuring transparency on how youth inputs are used and reflected in decisions. Third, we need to move from consultations only to co-creation, where young people are not just participants but partners in shaping policies and solutions. As we approach 2030, this becomes even more critical. Youth leadership is not only about achieving existing goals, it is about shaping


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:32:45]:

what comes next, because ultimately youth participation without


Slovakia · Youth Delegate · Filip [2:32:49]:

influence risks becoming performative, What we need now is not just inclusion, but impact. Thank you. I would like to call Mr. Filip, UNICEF delegate from Slovakia. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues. In 2022, 84% of Slovak youth expressed the view that politicians pay too little attention to their needs, and mere 3% have ever had the experience of influencing a political process— an inevitable result of treating youth representation as an afterthought. If having a representative youth voice is not deemed essential from the very genesis of public policy, it will never result in a genuine sense of ownership. And this is true in all levels of governance, from grassroots to international. To address this, I propose a two-pronged approach. First, institutionalized presence, and this must be redefined. Inviting us into the room is the bare minimum, and participation requires our actual involvement in the full process of policymaking, from defining the issue through brainstorming, drafting, proposal, and decision adoption. Second, we must address the reality of representation from the bottom up. We are asked to be the voice of change now, not tomorrow, and rightfully so. Yet we seem to overlook what this actually demands. We expect policy insights from a youngster who works full-time or studies while juggling a side hustle just to survive. Meaningful participation requires equipping youth advocates with the necessary tools, data access, polling instruments, expert consultations, and much more. We cannot shape complex policy in a vacuum. Out of nearly 3,000 Slovak municipalities, only about 30 had active youth parliaments by the end of 2024. But we back home refused to accept this status quo. I have since traveled to dozens and dozens of these cities, meeting newly formed local youth councils and witnessing


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:34:56]:

youth workers actively building capacities on the ground. This is not yet a success story, but it is undeniably the right path forward. Thank you so much. I would like to


International Organization of Youth · Jayden Ackerman [2:35:08]:

call— I would like to call Jayden Ackerman, International Organization of Youth. I would like to call Jayden Ackerman, International Organization of Youth. Hi, thank you so much for— education is one of the most underappreciated peacebuilding tools we have. A classroom is more than a room for learning. It can be a safe space, a source of structure, and a bridge to economic mobility. When young people can learn, work, and believe they have a future, societies become more stable. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and fellow youth leaders and honored guests. My name is Jaden Ackerman, representing the International Organization of Youth in the United States. Across the world— I'm sorry. Today the world is home to 2.6 billion young people. The largest youth generation in history. Yet in many places, young people remain excluded from decisions that will define the century ahead. When institutions fail to include youth voices, the result is not silence. It is distrust, disengagement, and lost opportunity. That is why I urge the United Nations and member states to act in 3 practical ways. First, protect access to quality education and modern skills training. Education now includes classrooms, internet access, devices, and the ability to participate in a changing economy. Second, institutionalize youth participation through permanent youth councils, advisory boards, and seats in peacebuilding and development processes. Young people should not be consulted only during crises. We should be included year-round.


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:37:12]:

Third, strengthen trust through accountability and direct investment. Publish clear reports showing


Guyana · Second Secretary [2:37:17]:

how youth recommendations shape decisions. Thank you, Jaden. I would like to call— I'd like to call Ms. Soshena, Second Secretary from Guyana. Ms. Soshena. Thank you, Chair. With today's global youth population being largest in history, this has brought prudent and necessary for youth to take a leading role in shaping solutions to issues that affect the global community. The international community must deliver on the commitments made in the Pact for the Future to invest in the development of young people and to strengthen their meaningful participation at the national and international levels. We welcome the Youth 2030 Strategy presented by the UN Youth Office, which provides a roadmap on advancing youth participation within the United Nations. In a world gripped by conflict, meaningful youth part— meaningful youth engagement in peace processes, including at decision-making levels, is critical in building trust and breaking cycles of violence, yielding sustainable peace outcomes. Recognizing this, Guyana co-authored with Sierra Leone the Youth Peace and Security Resolution 2807, aimed at addressing persistent gaps in the Security Council's engagement on the YPS agenda. The resolution, which was unanimously adopted inter alia, focuses on increasing youth participation and leadership in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, recovery, and reconstruction at all levels. At the national level, Guyana views its youth as vital human capital and the driving force of our economy. We have prioritized investment in youth development to allow our young people to transition into the world of employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Testament to our youth leadership priority is the fact that close to 30% of our Parliament, the highest decision-making body in Guyana, is made up of members younger than 40. In conclusion, Guyana stresses


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:39:20]:

the need to continue to advocate for youth leadership at the national, regional, and global


International Pharmaceutical Student Federation · Manchari Sangmuang [2:39:25]:

levels today and for future generations. I thank you. I'd like to call Manchari Sangmuang, International Pharmaceutical Student Federation. Manchari Sangmuang, scholar, speaking. If we are trusted to carry responsibility, we must also be trusted to help decide the policies we are expected to follow. If we are expected to follow rules, we should also have a clear voice in shaping them. Colleagues, as a global network of pharmacy students and young professionals, the International Pharmaceutical Student Federation, IPSF, representing more than 600,000 pharmacy students and recent graduates worldwide, our civic participation is therefore not separated from our professional role. It is the expression of it. Our identity encompasses advocacy, accountability, and action through organized civic engagement, whether contributing to national health policy, participating in public campaigns, or holding institutions accountable, we shape a more equitable, evidence-based, and sustainable health systems. That's why IPSF calls on young people in this room to raise your voice, engage boldly, and claim your space in institutions and communities where you come from. IPSF also urged countries, governments, and health systems to include youth locally, not as token, not just in this room, but wherever you come from. We are partners in decision-making, implementation, and accountability. Young people, we are the presence for, for change. Nothing about us is without us. Nothing for communities without local youth in the communities.


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:41:11]:

Let us transform civic action into institutional influence that drives systemic, lasting change


Republic of Moldova · Permanent Representative · George Luca [2:41:18]:

together, starting now. Thank you so much. I'd like to call His Excellency George Luca, Permanent Representative of Republic of Moldova. President, just recently the international community marked the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. Highlighting once again the importance of young voices in global discussions. Today, a similar energy can be felt as young people and professionals continue to come together in forums dedicated to their participation, empowerment, and leadership. In the Republic of Moldova, youth remains at the center of national priorities. Public policies are designed to support their active engagement, inclusion, and personal growth, while creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to society. This approach is reflected in the strategic frameworks like Youth 2030 National Strategy and in broader sectorial policies covering education, employment, health, and social protection. Aligned with the European path, Moldova integrates and objectives inspired by European youth cooperation frameworks, ensuring that young people play a key role in advancing national development goals and contributing to a sustainable future. Through youth-focused institutions like Ministry of Education and Research and National Youth Agency, programs have been launched to strengthen student representation support youth self-governance, and empower local youth councils. These initiatives focus on expanding youth services, encouraging participation in decision-making, and fostering innovation and leadership among young people. Let's not forget that the capacity of a modern state to develop socially


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:43:23]:

and economically is based on efficiently prepared and active human


Global Teen Leadership Summit · Claire Keel [2:43:28]:

capital capable and willing to contribute. Thank you so much. I'd like to invite Claire Keel from Global Teen Leadership Summit. Delegates, honorable guests, and young people here today, my name is Claire Keel. I'm 16 years old. representing the United States with the Global Teen Leadership Summit. Peace, to me, not just means the absence of conflict, but the existence of systems that accurately reflect the needs of the people that they are meant to serve. Currently, these systems do not fully represent the needs of young people. Across both local communities and international institutions, young people are often not fully included. Not because they do not have valid ideas, or because they simply do not want to be included, but because systems at every level were not designed to support or include them in the first place. Peace cannot be achieved if young people are constantly excluded or not entirely involved in the decision-making today, because we chance entering the future unprepared, unaware, and unequipped to address the very conflicts we will inherit when, and only when, we are fully included. And peace cannot be maintained if those who will carry the responsibility of the world, we young people, are excluded from actually shaping it. Therefore, I urge the United Nations, member states, and world leaders to not only include young people by name, but by change, influence, and purpose. I call for institutions to include youth, not symbolically, but to establish young people in decision-making environments across the board, to ensure young people are not only heard, but are fully and formally incorporated into the very decisions that shape the future we


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:45:25]:

will eventually inherit. Not to wait for the future to arrive, but to prepare for it


Guatemala · Second Secretary · Kania Bryan [2:45:30]:

without barriers or limitations. Thank you. Thank you so much. I'd like to call Ms. Kania Bryan, Second Secretary from Guatemala. Guatemala is grateful for this opportunity that highlights that youth leadership is not a promise for the future but a force that is shaping our societies. Figures point to structural barriers that still limit access of young people to decision-making. In the face of this picture, Guatemala has taken up this challenge with determination. Currently, we are promoting 18 programs aimed at strengthening youth citizen participation and supported by earmarked resources to expand its scope. Civic participation, and community leadership, together with inclusion of Indigenous youth, youth of African descent, and rural youth. In this context, we welcome the visit by partners


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:47:34]:

of the Fund to Guatemala in January of 2026. This underscored the importance


Schulich School of Medicine · Rashika Gheda [2:47:41]:

of investing in youth as key agents of peace. I'd like to invite Rashika Gheda from Schulich School of Medicine. Distinguished members of the United Nations and my fellow youth leaders, my name is Rashika Gheda and I'm a medical student and global health advocate from Canada, and I'm speaking to you today on the transformative transformative and deeply consequential intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare as it relates to the Sustainable Development Goals. As youth in medicine, my peers and I are training at a pivotal moment, one where the foundations of clinical practice, research, health systems are being reshaped in real time by AI. And we're not entering a static profession. We are responsible for adapting alongside rapidly evolving technologies that will define how care is delivered. AI holds immense promise. It can enable earlier and more accurate diagnoses, strengthen health systems through predictive analytics, and optimize resource allocation in strained settings. In advancing SDG 3, this could mean faster outbreak detection, more resilient health systems, and better-targeted interventions that will save lives. But these benefits are not guaranteed. Without deliberate safeguards, AI risks reinforcing systemic inequities through biased algorithms that misdiagnose marginalized populations, through extractive data practices that fail to ensure fair benefit sharing, and the premature deployment of unregulated technologies in low-resource settings. It also risks widening the digital divide, undermining SDG 10, and concentrating power in ways that challenge accountability and governance under SGD 16. To protect the most vulnerable, we are implored to center equity, data sovereignty, and informed consent in AI-driven health innovation. Within the UN, this means institutionalizing youth representation within the national delegations and technical bodies and embedding youth directly in the co-design of AI governance and ethical


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:49:51]:

frameworks. The question is no longer whether AI will shape


Egypt · Youth Expert · Dina [2:49:55]:

the future of healthcare care. It already is. I would like to invite Ms. Dina, a youth expert from Egypt. Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Egypt is pleased to participate in this important discussion on youth leadership as a critical force in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for all. With one of the largest youth populations Thank you, Madam Chair. As one of the oldest Arab nations in the region, Egypt firmly believes that young people are not only beneficiaries of development but essential partners in designing and implementing its pathways. In this context, Egypt launched the National Youth Strategy 2025-2032 aimed at reforming policies and modernizing institutional frameworks to enhance youth participation in line with the objectives of Egypt Vision 2030. Madam Chair, Egypt has placed youth empowerment at the center of its development vision through initiatives such as the Presidential Leadership Program, youth academies, and the regular convening of global and national youth forums. We have worked to equip young people with the skills, platforms, and opportunities needed to actively contribute to public life and decision-making. We have also prioritized youth participation in governance processes, ensuring that their voices are reflected in national policies, particularly in areas related to innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development. At the same time, Egypt underscores that enabling youth leadership requires sustainable investment in education, skills development, and decent job opportunities. In parallel, efforts have been made to expand youth access to financial services within financial inclusion programs. The state has established the Egyptian Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to support startups and transform innovative ideas into productive ventures. At last, Egypt strongly believes that it's imperative to prioritize efforts encouraging young people engagement across all sectors while addressing the barriers they face to ensure


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:51:51]:

they can fully harness their full potential in driving meaningful and positive change. Thank you. Thank you so much.


Shanghai Cooperation Organization Youth Foundation · Yulin Wang [2:51:59]:

I'd like to call— I'd like to call Yulin Wang, Shanghai Corporation Organization. Youth Foundation. Your Excellencies, distinguished representatives, and youth leaders, kudetoyuan, standing here today on this global stage with the voices of Youth Unite, I feel deeply honored and aware of the responsibility it carries. When we talk about the future, we are talking about today's youth. We live in a time of challenges and opportunities, climate change, inequality, education gaps, and global peace and security. Public health is also an area where youth innovation can make real change. History shows us that youth are not passive. Youth drive change. Innovation comes from youth. Progress depends on youth, and peace requires youth. Thank you. The Skoll Foundation, established under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the United Nations, carries a profound mission. By 2050, we aim to provide financial support and development opportunities to 1 billion young people worldwide, nurturing globally minded youth leaders who become innovators, changemakers, and builders. Of peace. We are already turning this will into action. In just one year, we have supported over 60 youth events, provided scholarships to more than 1,300 young leaders, and supported over 300 young people to join international programs. Many have spoken at the United Nations, studied at universities such as Harvard and Lancet Meaningful Projects. I dedicate my time and resources to youth empowerment because I believe that investing in youth is investing


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:54:00]:

in the future of the world. Thank you for your attention. I look forward to working


Türkiye · Third Secretary · Taylan Ozar [2:54:06]:

together. Thank you so much. I would like to call Mr. Taylan Ozar. Third Secretary of Turkey. Thank you, Madam Chair. The priority theme of the session reminds us that youth must be at the heart of our collective efforts to advance prosperity, inclusion, and peace in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ensuring genuine youth inclusion in decision-making is the most effective way to strengthen youth leadership and resolving international challenges. In this regard, the World Programme of Action for Youth and the Youth 2030 strategy to provide a common language and measurable targets— they remind us that youth engagement is not symbolic, it's strategic, and must be embedded in policy frameworks at every level. Turkey views youth not only as beneficiaries of social development but as partners and leaders shaping it. With over 12 million youth population under the age of 25, we are investing in a future where youth stand at the core of development. Türkiye takes important steps to strengthen youth participation in local governance through local councils, youth NGOs, and digital platforms. Young people are actively shaping their neighborhoods and cities. Yet youth empowerment cannot be confined within national borders. Cooperation among governments, international and regional organizations, the private sector, and civil society must be central to our strategies. We call on all stakeholders to increase investment in youth-led initiatives, programs, and structures. Madam Chair, in conclusion, the Youth Empowerment is both a response to current challenges and a pledge to future generations. We reiterate Türkiye's commitment to foster


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:55:56]:

youth engagement to achieve sustainable, an inclusive future for all. I thank you. Thank you so much. I'd like to call His Excellency Raul Sanchez,


Colombia · Deputy Permanent Representative · Raul Sanchez [2:56:08]:

Deputy Permanent Representative of Colombia. His Excellency Raul Sanchez. Thank you, Madam Moderator, for giving me the floor. I'd like to convey my greetings to the President of ECOSOC, hail his commitment to this event, and understand that his leadership is one of the reasons for this success. Felipe, I'd like to express my admiration for what you've achieved these past days and for your leadership in bringing together young people from all over the world. Colombia has many different realities, Mr. President, but the most important reality is that youth represent some 25% of our population— 13 million young people that represent a social, political, and cultural force that plays a determining role in our country. Colombia avanzó. Colombia has advanced in strengthening institutions that support these young people. There are youth councils throughout our territory that ensure the participation of young people and ensure that young people have an impact on public decisions. There are programs such as Youth for Peace, Youth for Nature that seek to build capacities, create opportunities, and strengthen the role of young people as agents of transformation, especially in territories affected by violence, climate change. Also, Colombia is making progress in developing its National Plan of Action that we will soon launch. Mr. President, investing in young people


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [2:58:08]:

is essential for resilience and sustainability


UNEP · Mia Annan [2:58:11]:

of our societies. Thank you. I would like to call Mia Annan from UNP. Mia, from UNP. Thank you, Moderator. Distinguished delegates, youth leaders, colleagues. At a time when the world is confronting the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, one truth is clearer than ever: youth leadership is indispensable. Young people are not only demanding change, They are designing it, implementing it, and accelerating it. At the 7th session of the UN Environment Assembly, UNEP 7, member states sent a powerful message that this leadership must be recognized and strengthened. The adoption of the Resolution on Enhancing the Meaningful Participation of Youth in Environmental Processes and Enhancing Environmental Education stands as a milestone. This resolution acknowledged that youth must have structured, consistent, and impactful avenues to participate in environmental governance, and it called for stronger youth engagement across UNEP's programs and support for youth-led initiatives that advance solutions to the triple planetary crisis. UNEP continues to strengthen youth engagement across our programs, including through the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP, Global Youth Environment Assembly, and partnerships that elevate youth voices. In addition, UNEP plays a critical role in shaping the environmental dimension of sustainable development. UNEP's outcomes feed directly into the High-Level Political Forum, ensuring that environmental priorities and scientific insights inform global SDG review and follow-up. As we move towards ACPF, UNEP is committed to working with youth to spotlight the opportunities of a just transition and the pathway to a nature-positive, climate-resilient future. To young leaders


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [3:00:33]:

here today, your leadership


Senegal · Mariama [3:00:35]:

is essential. Your ideas are reshaping policy. I'd like to call Ms. Mariama Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, delegates, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Global Programme of Action for Youth, this global platform was offered to examine the challenges that young people confront in achieving their potential and human rights. At that occasion, the President of the Republic of Senegal took part in active exchanges in order to ensure an effective participation of young people at the national and international level. Ladies and gentlemen, leaders have recognized that young people should be put at the heart of development strategies. Strategies, not simply as simple beneficiaries but as true partners. In this spirit, the Declaration for Future Generations is essential to promote intergenerational dialogue that will become the foundation for tailoring public policies for the benefit of young people. Senegal places top priority on young people to ensure that new generations have every opportunity. Furthermore, we intend to— we intend to involve young people


Women Economic Empowerment of Africa · Moderator · Mehalath Reddy [3:02:47]:

more actively in elaborating public policies in the future. Thank you all for your thoughtful


ECOSOC · President of ECOSOC [3:02:53]:

intervention. I will now pass back to Your Excellency. Thank you. I thank the moderators, Ms. Mehalath Reddy, for skillfully guiding our discussions in the second sessions. I also thank all the distinguished speakers for their presentations and the delegations and youth representatives for your participation. I also thank our excellent interpreters for so kindly accepting to extend their time for the interpretation. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and youth representatives, we have thus concluded Thank you, Mr. President. This concludes the program of work for this meeting, and before adjourning this meeting, I would like to remind you that the Forum will reconvene tomorrow at 10 AM, 10 AM in this chamber in accordance with