‘Youth Taking Action to Implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ is the slogan for the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, which will be held in New York on 1st and 2nd February. The event will bring together hundreds of representatives of youth organisations from around the world, as well as members of governmental and United Nations agencies dedicated to this field.

The main purpose of this forum is to encourage young people to play an active role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the ambitious road map set out by the UN last September with 17 goals and 169 targets to end extreme poverty and to combat climate change and inequality. Over the space of two days, youth organisations will have the opportunity to identify how they can engage with the political and legislative spheres of their respective countries to implement the SDGs. In addition, there will be discussions on how the United Nations, civil society and governments can cooperate in monitoring the agenda.

ECOSOC insists that, although the main responsibility lies with States, young people are also essential when it comes to raising awareness regarding the contents of the 17 sustainable development goals. Consequently, the forum will study various communication strategies that can be used by young people in their own environments, taking advantage of this group’s expertise with social networks and other innovative digital tools.