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.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturda...
Félicien Kabuga, one of the last remaining suspects linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has died in custody at the age of 93, a United Nati...
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus ...
Israeli airstrikes killed at least seven Palestinians in Gaza on Friday (15 May), including a child, as Israel said it had launched an operation ta...
Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of central London on Saturday (16 May) as two large-scale protests unfolded simultaneously -...
Afghanistan is seeking Azerbaijan’s support to help secure its official participation in the upcoming United Nations COP31 global climate change conference, scheduled to be held in Türkiye, as Kabul looks to strengthen its engagement on climate diplomacy and technical cooperation.
Experts say COP30 failed to deliver concrete commitments on fossil fuels and deforestation despite high expectations.
Türkiye’s Zero Waste Foundation has released the Zero Waste Encyclopaedia in Turkish and English, ahead of hosting COP31 in 2026, providing a comprehensive resource on global zero waste practices.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev says COP31 in Türkiye will strengthen regional climate cooperation, with Baku ready to share its COP29 experience and coordinate the upcoming agenda with Ankara.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
The second semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place tonight in a rain-soaked Vienna, with the final 10 places in Saturday’s grand final still up for grabs.
Uzbekistan has launched a nationwide environmental initiative titled ‘Day Without Cars’, which will take place twice a month as part of efforts to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions.
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus could become one of the world’s key strategic connectors in an emerging multipolar order.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, has travelled to Baku to attend the 13th World Urban Forum, where climate change and safer cities will be discussed.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment