The final day of the Youth Forum on United Nations Global Goals 2026 in Istanbul focused on innovation, cooperation and global impact, with young participants and experts underlining the role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
İstanbul’s role as a bridge between Europe and Asia adds strategic importance to the event, supporting dialogue and the exchange of ideas among participants from diverse regions.
The programme includes panel discussions on climate diplomacy and progress towards the SDGs, as well as workshops such as “Youth as Peacemakers,” focused on conflict resolution and mediation skills.
Another session on policy and innovation explores practical approaches to SDG implementation and accountability mechanisms.
Qaiser Nawab, Chairman of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development, speaking to AnewZ, said the gathering brings together “around 70 plus changemakers, young leaders, policymakers” who sit “in a single conference hall” discussing “one single agenda, that's sustainable development.”
He added that such forums create “collective knowledge from different parts of the world” and could help shape the 2030 agenda.
The analyst also highlighted that youth contributions, including the İstanbul Youth Declaration, would be submitted to the COP presidency and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of efforts to ensure “true actions and sincerity by the global leaders to combat climate challenges.”
At the conclusion of the forum, the İstanbul Youth Declaration was signed, outlining key priorities including climate change, education, innovation, inclusive policies and stronger youth representation on international platforms.
Organisers said the declaration reflects young people’s contribution to global challenges and is expected to play a role in future cooperation and the COP31 process.
The forum was described as an important platform for strengthening youth voices and advancing the SDGs. The next edition of the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals will be held in Porto, Portugal.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Spain has declared a national emergency and evacuated more than 10,000 people after uncontrolled wildfires reached the outskirts of Madrid. Emergency crews have rescued residents as multiple blazes continue to spread across the region.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
A new state agency wants the world to take Georgian food as seriously as Georgians already do.
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UN Secretary General António Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for the first trip to Syria by a serving United Nations' chief since 2009, before the start of a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
More than 100 Afghan business representatives travelled to Uzbekistan this week for a business forum aimed at expanding trade and investment, as Uzbek investors also expressed interest in Afghanistan’s mining sector.
Kazakhstan's grain sector faces a difficult season as drought reduces harvest prospects while mounting security risks in the Black Sea threaten to redirect cheaper Russian grain into Central Asian markets.
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