14 April 2026 - From 14 to 16 April 2026, young people will take center stage at the Â鶹APP Headquarters in New York during the ECOSOC Youth Forum, considered the UN¡¯s largest annual gathering of young people.
Under the theme ¡°Innovate, Unite and Transform: Youth Shaping the Road to 2030,¡± the Forum will be celebrating the power of youth collaboration and creativity to drive global change. While young innovators, advocates, and leaders are already transforming their communities, the annual Forum will help amplify their voices, connecting them with global decision-makers.
"By empowering young people, we unlock a powerful and effective force for sustainable development, fostering more inclusive and participatory processes, amplifying diverse voices, building trust, and delivering lasting solutions¡¯, said UN DESA¡¯s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua as he addressed the International Youth Day last year. ¡°By championing young leaders and change-makers, let us build a more equitable, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all,¡± Mr. Li said.
Young people are ready to lead, to innovate and transform at the ECOSOC Youth Forum. They will have the opportunity to debate a range of topics, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review at this year¡¯s High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The issue of access to safe and clean water and sanitation, a future where clean and affordable energy powers sustainable development for everyone, and where resilient and sustainable infrastructure drive equitable economic growth, will be at the heart of conversations.
Forum participants will also focus on advancing climate-resilient cities and strengthening partnerships to build an inclusive future for LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, marginalized communities as well as support youth mental health and well-being. The ECOSOC Youth Forum is where ideas become action, voices become policy, and youth become leaders of sustainable development.
Be part of the ECOSOC Youth Forum by tuning in to the live broadcast via and joining the global conversation online. Share your insights, amplify youth voices, and help drive momentum by engaging on social media by using the hashtag #ECOSOCYouth.
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Explore UN DESA¡¯s most recent reports focusing on young people:
The ECOSOC Youth Forum is organized by UN DESA in close collaboration with the Â鶹APP Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD) and the UN Youth Office. It is co-convened by the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) and the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organizations (ICMYO). Learn more about the work of UN DESA¡¯s .