Bangladesh Calls for Global Action to Bridge Digital Gap

Participants attend the ECOSOC Youth Forum at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

As the world faces increasingly complex and interconnected crises—from climate change to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence—the leadership and voices of young people have never been more vital, the United Nations has said.

Young leaders, innovators and advocates from across the globe are gathering at UN Headquarters in New York for the 2026 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, which runs until Thursday.

Held under the theme “Innovate, Unite and Transform: Youth Shaping the Road to 2030,” the forum aims to promote innovative solutions and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also reaffirms the role of young people as key partners in building a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.

Opening the event, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock thanked participants for bringing positive energy to the UN, describing their presence as “sunshine” in challenging times.

She stressed that young people must be included in decision-making now, not just in the future. “This is more than a discussion—it is a test of whether we are truly ready to act,” she said.

Baerbock urged delegates and policymakers to follow through on commitments, encouraged ministers to take discussions beyond the forum, and called on young people to continue pushing boundaries and leading change.

“Do not feel pressured to conform,” she added. “Your authenticity is your strength, and your voices matter because they are unique.”

ECOSOC President Lok Bahadur Thapa highlighted the range of challenges facing young people, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, economic uncertainty, inequality, and technological disruption.

“Despite these challenges, young people are not only among the most affected—they are also powerful agents of change,” he said, noting their growing role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

He called for inclusive progress, ensuring that all young people—regardless of geography, gender, ability or socio-economic background—have equal access to opportunities, participation and influence.

According to UN data, there are currently 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24, representing 16% of the global population. By 2030, that number is expected to rise to nearly 1.3 billion.

Jaewon Choi, a youth leader and keynote speaker, warned that many young people remain excluded from systems meant to support them. He highlighted the urgency of action, noting that a young person dies every 4.4 seconds due to causes such as malnutrition, preventable diseases, violence and natural disasters.

“We are already inheriting the consequences of today’s decisions,” he said. “We deserve the right to be part of shaping them.”

Discussions at the forum are focusing on key development areas, including clean water, energy, infrastructure, sustainable cities and global partnerships, with further deliberations expected at the High-level Political Forum in July.