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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