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.
A Turkish court has effectively removed the main opposition leader, Özgür Özel, in a ruling that has deepened political tensions and...
Standing amidst the shattered concrete, twisted reinforcing bars...
SpaceX stopped the launch of its 12th Starship rocket from Texas on Thursday and said it will attempt the high-stakes test flight again on Friday, ...
U.S. President Donald Trump surprised NATO allies by announcing plans to deploy an additional 5,000 American tr...
The U.S. has arrested Adys Lastres Morera, the sister of the head of GAESA, a military-run business group which owns ...
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.
Asian stocks surged on Thursday as some vessels resumed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while forecast-beating results at Nvidia and a suspended workers' strike at Samsung Electronics lifted shares of chipmakers.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said Belarus will not be dragged into the war in Ukraine, while also stressing that Minsk and Moscow would jointly respond to any aggression against them.
The penultimate day of the World Urban Forum 13 in Baku will see Azerbaijan's Pavilion highlight post-construction efforts in Garabagh and East Zangezur, as well as host events on the future of Baku and architectural education.
Lithuania on Wednesday issued an “air danger” warning urging residents to seek shelter and temporarily suspended operations at the capital’s airport amid fears that drones had entered the country’s airspace, as tensions between Russia and the Baltic states continue to escalate.
NATO fighter jets were activated on Thursday (21 May) after at least one drone entered Latvian airspace, according to Latvia’s armed forces, marking the latest in a series of security incidents across the Baltic region linked to the war in Ukraine.
A Turkish court has effectively removed the main opposition leader, Özgür Özel, in a ruling that has deepened political tensions and rattled financial markets.
A 13-year-old boy was killed in northern Gaza on Thursday (21 May) after an Israeli drone strike hit the town of Beit Lahiya, according to local health officials, as residents reported a renewed increase in Israeli evacuation warnings ahead of attacks.
Azerbaijan is stepping up efforts to strengthen its position as a regional hub for investment and connectivity ahead of the second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku this September.
Iran and Pakistan discussed developments in stalled Iran-U.S. negotiations during a visit to Tehran by Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsen Raza Naqvi, amid Islamabad’s ongoing mediation efforts.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (21 May), with both leaders discussing bilateral ties, regional developments and ongoing peace efforts in the South Caucasus.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment