Programme
14 - 16 April 2026 | ECOSOC Youth Forum
Why Youth Mental Health Matters
Good mental health is the foundation for every young person to learn, connect, and contribute meaningfully to society. However, today¡¯s youth face a uniquely challenging climate, navigating intense political polarization and the rapid rise of AI-driven disruption. These issues often threaten emotional well-being and can be detrimental to personal growth. Drawing on the UN Youth Office¡¯s 2025 Flagship Initiative, this session will show how poverty, education, and decent work shape well-being, especially in light of technological advances and how that affects young people everywhere.
Moderator:
- Ant¨®nio Pedro Tavares Pinho, People Next Generation Fellow, UN Foundation
Speakers:
- Nattanicha Kattiyavara, Youth Reference Group
- Maria Barreneche, Youth Advocacy & Well-being International Specialist, UN Youth Office
Addressing the Youth Unemployment Crisis
A sustainable and inclusive future depends on achieving inclusive economic growth and decent work for all. Yet young people aged 15 to 24 continue to face persistent barriers to accessing meaningful and productive employment. This session will highlight the bold, innovative ways in which young advocates are leading change to ensure that every young person can access productive employment, regardless of gender, income, or socio?economic background.
Moderator:
- Bora Kamwanya, Vice-President, Pan African Youth Union
Speakers:
- Puneet Singh Singhal Co-founder of Billion Strong and member of UN Youth Office Reference Group
- Lindsey Huahuamullo Founder of ImpactaYA and member of UN Youth Office Reference Group
Shaping Africa¡¯s Climate Future
Africa is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, warming faster than the global average and facing disproportionate climate impacts despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. This is particularly evident in the growing pressures that climate change is placing on water resources and systems across the continent. As water underpins agriculture, livelihoods, ecosystems, and energy production, water-related climate impacts are deepening inequalities and threatening sustainable development across Africa.
African youth are driving critical climate innovations, advancing practical solutions, and changing the continent¡¯s climate future. This dialogue aims to spotlight Africa¡¯s youth innovators at the forefront of addressing climate change impacts, highlighting their leadership in building resilient communities, strengthening water security, and advancing global climate solutions.
Moderator:
- Damon Hamman, Graduate Student, New York University, Centre for Global Affairs
Speakers:
- Ms. Eugenia Boateng, Founder and Executive Director of African Diaspora Youth Hub, FABA (For Africa, By Africa) Institute
- Mr. Jabri Ibrahim, UN Secretary-General¡¯s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
- Mr. Sibusiso Mazomba, UN Secretary-General¡¯s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
Young People as Drivers of Gender Equality
Achieving gender equality is foundational to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and underscore that youth are not just future leaders, but current architects of a more inclusive global society. As the world faces pushback on women¡¯s rights, this session will highlight how young advocates and activists are using digital innovation and grassroots organizing to dismantle gender-based violence and economic inequality.
Moderator:
- Aishworya Shrestha, Young Leader for SDGs, UN Youth Office
Speakers:
- Hanna Mulugeta Melaku, Youth Reference Group
- Yasmine Aburaya, Founder of Your Voice Initiative and Youth Leader in Gender Equality and Civic Engagement
Everyday Peace: Youth on the Frontlines of Change
As the architects of everyday peace, young people are driving change and expanding opportunities in their communities and beyond. In a dynamic conversation, on Everyday Peace: Youth on the Frontlines of Change, youth leaders, grassroots activists, and experts will dive into the impact of youth agency.
The conversation will showcase how young people are co-creating stability locally and globally, while also previewing how this evidence will feed directly into the UN Secretary-General¡¯s forthcoming independent study on youth's positive contributions to peace which aims to politically advance the youth, peace and security agenda.
Moderator:
- Ishaan Shah, Lead Next Generation Fellow, UN Foundation
Speakers:
- Nanjala Nyabola, Lead Author, UN Secretary-General¡¯s the second independent progress study on youth, peace and security
- Kenan Fehri?, Member, UN Youth Advisory Board in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Rahaf Abu Mayyaleh, Generation17 Young Leader, UN Development Programme