The 2025 World Youth Development Forum (WYDF), held from July 15 to July 20 in Suzhou and in Shanghai, successfully concluded with a powerful focus on harnessing the potential of youth to drive global development. With more than 500 participants from over 100 countries, this global gathering marked a pivotal moment in mobilizing youth-led solutions for today’s most urgent global challenges.

The event’s theme, “Unleash Youth Potential for Global Development,” provided a platform for youth leaders, government representatives, international organizations, and youth organizations to come together and explore innovative solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The forum’s discussions reflected a shared commitment to fostering youth-led actions for sustainable development and global progress.

The forum was marked by the launch of three major initiatives aimed at accelerating youth-driven solutions: International Youth Advocacy for Unleashing Youth Potential, 100 Excellence Actions of the Global Youth Development Action Plan 2025 and Acceleration Week for Global Youth Development. These initiatives aim to empower youth across the globe and accelerate global efforts to achieve a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.

At the opening ceremony, Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), delivered an address in which he highlighted the urgent need for decent jobs and economic opportunities for the world’s 1.2 billion young people. Mr. Houngbo reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment through initiatives focused on digital literacy, green transition skills, and enhancing youth participation in decision-making processes.

Thematic Forum on Artificial Intelligence & Technology Innovation

A major thematic session on Artificial Intelligence and Science & Technology Innovation brought together 150 youth leaders from 64 countries. The session focused on how technological advancements are reshaping the future of work and creating new opportunities for youth worldwide. Discussions centered on the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed to thrive in the digital and green economies, which are increasingly becoming integral to future job markets.

Youth-Led Green Consumption and Sustainability Innovations

The forum also highlighted youth-led initiatives in green consumption and sustainable development. Innovators from around the world shared their solutions to combat climate change, promote renewable energy, and foster sustainable lifestyles. These young leaders demonstrated how innovation and new technologies, alongside grassroots advocacy, can drive environmental change.

The European Youth Association played a central role in this year’s WYDF, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of China-Europe relations. The China-Europe Youth Leader Development Forum underscored the growing impact of international collaboration in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with youth at the center of these efforts.

With the successful outcomes of the 2025 WYDF, the European Youth Association is committed to continuing its work in empowering young people worldwide. The association looks forward to fostering cross-regional collaboration and advocating for sustainable solutions to the most pressing global challenges, all while ensuring that youth are at the forefront of these efforts.

As the forum concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, driven by the knowledge that youth have the power to shape the future and contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable world.

Youth unites for a better future

The European Youth Association took part in the World Youth Development Forum in Beijing and in the Bridge of the Future ”China – Central and Eastern Europe Youth Development Campus in the Thematic Forum of Digital Development in Chongqing.

The World Youth Development Forum, with the theme of “Together for a Better Future”, opened in Beijing on August 12 at the International Youth Day.

The WYDF forum aims to harness the power of youth to advance the Global Development Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The United Nation will host the Summit of the Future in September in New York, with a commitment to accelerating the realization of the SDGs. During the opening ceremony and plenary meeting of the  WYDF, youth representatives from eight countries read out the “International Youth Advocacy for the Summit of the Future”. They pledged to stay conscious of global matters, be innovative, embrace cooperation and take on the responsibility to work in solidarity toward accelerating the achievement of global sustainable development and promoting the building of a community with shared future for mankind.

Youth Pre-Meeting for the Summit of the Future was held on August 13, and 4 Thematic Forums for Green Development, Youth Development-oriented Cities, Digital Development, Cultural Inheritance and Innovation were held in Nanning, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Changsha respectively, from August 14 to 15.

This forum bringing together over 2,000 youth representatives from more than 130 countries and regions and over 20 international organizations, both online and in person.

The series of events of the forum were invite the heads of United Nations agencies, ministers for youth affairs, youth leaders and youth representatives from all walks of life to participate in person, building a worldwide platform for exchanges, mutual learning and cooperation, and facilitating stakeholders to jointly address global challenges and build a better future.

Our president had speech in the thematic forum for digital development on the topic realistic demands and promotion mechanism of youth development and speech in the roundtable conference on building green and low carbon cities together in Chongqing.

He said that “Addressing the real needs of our youth and fostering effective promotion mechanisms is not merely an investment in the future—it is a commitment to building a more equitable, innovative and vibrant society today. By prioritizing mental health, economic stability, social inclusion, digital literacy and personal fulfillment, and by implementing supportive community engagement, educational reform and effective policy, we lay the foundation for a brighter future for all.

Let us embrace this challenge with determination and compassion, working together to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. For in the strength and success of our youth, we find the promise of a better tomorrow.”

On August 11th, our president visited one of the seven wonders of the world – Great Wall of China protected by UNESCO. There is a famous quote attributed to Chairman Mao, – ”He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man”. Exploring the Great Wall of China is surely one of the unforgettable experiences. Other two groups visited Forbidden city and Temple of Heaven.

In Chongqing, we visited the Seres Group Co., Ltd, where the staff and robots working together to assemble new energy vehicles and experienced technological sense of China manufacturing in the electronic cars. Next day, we went in the Dazu Rock Carvings. It is the one and only UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in Chongqing municipality. They provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Also, we visited Chongqing planning exhibition gallery, Mobile IoT Global Exhibition center, CCTEG Engineering Group Co., Ltd, Hub international logistic park, enjoyed the night view of Yangtze and Jialing rivers and we tried the special tradition spicy hot pot and it was so delicious.

According to the organizers, this year’s forum is especially timely as the world faces unprecedented changes and significant challenges. The ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza, setbacks in global economic recovery, the widening North-South divide, food security issues, humanitarian crises, cybersecurity threats, and climate change all underscore the urgent need for global youth to take on the responsibility and contribute to solving these pressing global problems.

Hurry up and Apply Now!

What is the EYA network?

The EYA network is primarily an online platform, which facilitates the mutual exchange of experience, ideas, information, discuss matters of direct concern to young people, share best practices and work together for a better future. We create platforms for young people to connect, collaborate and integrate their ideas and perspectives into national and regional pathways for the implementation of the SDGs. Promoting youth involvement and 2030 Agenda for the SDGs worldwide. We are striving to help young people, students, and young professionals to became future change makers and to build a better society for all. Every year, we will be looking for dynamic young individuals from various backgrounds, who will become leaders within their communities towards inspiring change across world.

The EYA initiative includes more than 100 World Youth Ambassadors from 120 countries that regularly engage in civic actions, participate in youth events, and communicate on social media.  They will be involved in activities such as webinars, online learning platforms, virtual events, conferences, projects, forums and cultural events. We want to engage youth ambassadors from every country, who will become an ambassador of EYA in their respective countries to facilitate access to opportunities for youth in their community.

Who are we looking for?

Responsibilities as a World Youth Ambassador:

• Promote and spread EYA goals/activities and UN SDGs in your country;
• Actively participates in all activities, in scheduled meetings to discuss works in progress, current events, proposed campaigns, programs and activities;
• Share and circulate relevant, local and global opportunities to your community;
• Effectively communicate and present their ideas, views and opinions to others;
• Work as a team to solve problems and come up with new ideas;
• Interact with young people in an inspiring and engaging way and work collaboratively with all types of people;
• Communicate with your EYA supervisor on a regular basis;
• Collaborate and forge partnerships with different student bodies, youth groups, and social organizations to undertake mutually beneficial programs;
• When attending events or meetings Youth Ambassadors will write up a summary.

Being an Ambassador for the EYA network means many things!

Benefits

✔️  Better networking and building connection around world
✔️  Promoting youth involvement and 2030 Agenda for the SDGs worldwide
✔️  Get the opportunity to showcase your talent, achievements, and experience with thousands of youths through EYA platform
✔️  Get access and information about all world youth programs and youth opportunities
✔️  Attend and represent your country at the international projects
✔️  Build your profile, make new friends and learn about new cultures
✔️  Find a new internship, education & career opportunities
✔️  Find new international partners to implement joint project
✔️  Receive Certificate and a personal reference when you need it
✔️  Making our world better and developing ‘one voice’!

Eligibilities

• You are between 16 and 35 years old;
• You possess good communication skills and are motivated to work in an international team, bringing a great team spirit: #strongertogether;
• You are keen to engage online, share information, knowledge and opportunities with your peers;
• Demonstrable leadership qualities;
• Be friendly, personable, and willing to share ideas, experience and stories with others;
• Actively involved in our activities;
• Possess good communication skills and enthusiasm for our programs;
• Participate in regular meetings to plan and discuss activities with the EYA Leads;

-> Please note that the ‘World Youth Ambassadors’ initiative is an inclusive initiative committed to diversity. Young people from all nationality are invited to apply.

-> Please note that any activities and actions will be organised on a voluntary basis and will not involve any remuneration or title. We acknowledge that you might be studying/working, thus the ‘World Youth Ambassadors’ initiative has been designed to be flexible.

-> Please note that you must be 18 years old to participate in activities involving international travel. Selected candidates aged 16 to 17 will be exclusively eligible for online engagement and the local activities in their respective countries.

-> The ‘World Youth Ambassadors’ initiative is a non-political initiative. Any views expressed by ‘World Youth Ambassadors’ do not represent the overall opinions of the ‘World Youth Ambassadors’ initiative or any institutions and agencies.

*If you are a returning Ambassador, all you need to do is fill out this form and wait to hear back from us

How to apply:

Applicants are invited to apply by using the google online application form. Incomplete applications, or applications received after the published deadline will not be considered.

Apply now! Online Application Form

Application dates and deadlines:

Application procedure information              7th December
Application submission deadline                30th December
Selection process results                       January – February