Global Youth Celebration
16 November 2025
The ITU Global Youth Celebration (GYC-25) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 16 November 2025. The GYC starts at the Baku Convention Centre, continues through three parallel events (each in a different location), and concludes at the Hilton Hotel.
ITU Global Youth Summit
11 March 2025 – 13 March 2025
Under the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices in ICT for a Connected Future” the Summit will include and amplify young voices in ICT dialogues and decision-making processes at the regional, national, and global levels.
UN Summit of the Future
22 September 2024 – 23 September 2024
The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.
This once-in-a-generation opportunity serves as a moment to mend eroded trust and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively tackle current challenges as well as those that have emerged in recent years or may yet be over the horizon.
UN-OHRLLS High Level Political Forum side event
09 July 2024
Organized by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), in collaboration with the UN Youth Office, this side event aims to amplify the voices of youth from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in driving sustainable development agendas. In the lead-up to the Youth Declaration of the Summit of the Future, youth speakers from LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS will share their experiences and discuss global challenges, ensuring that their voices are integral to global conversations.
A young population brings numerous opportunities for economic growth and innovation. To realize these opportunities, it is imperative to engage youth, create spaces for their participation, and provide them with meaningful roles in decision-making processes. With the guidance and support of governments, young people can harness their collective power to drive positive change.
Generation Connect: Passing the Torch
16 May 2024
The Generation Connect global team hosted a virtual event to celebrate the transition of the outgoing cohort of Generation Connect Youth Envoys into Generation Connect Alumni and welcome the new cohort of Generation Connect Youth Envoys on 16 May 2024.
During this event, we heard reflections from one Generation Connect Alumni, one new Generation Connect Youth Envoy, and one ITU regional representative from every region. Key themes that emerged from their reflections include the importance of meaningful youth engagement, capacity building opportunities, and global collaboration in the creation of a sustainable digital future.
In his keynote address, BDT Director Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava emphasized many of these points as well as the importance of youth in digital inclusion for the future of the “three Ps,” which are the people, planet, and prosperity.
Congratulations to all of our Generation Connect Alumni and new Generation Connect Youth Envoys for their incredible work!
In addition to this global event, each ITU regional office also hosted a Passing the Torch event to strengthen connections between the regional groups of Generation Connect Youth Envoys.
ECOSOC Youth Forum 2024
16 April 2024 – 18 April 2024
On 18 April 2024, ITU co-led a session on the topic of Youth and Artificial Intelligence with UN Women and the UN Major Group on Children and Youth at the 2024 ECOSOC Youth Forum in UN Headquarters, New York.
Through a youth-led dialogue, the session explored AI’s potential to bridge the gender digital divide and empower young people. Participants examined how AI can empower women and reduce poverty by providing access to education, skills, and opportunities. Panellists also discussed how AI’s capabilities can create sustainable solutions for current and future generations, ensuring a better future for all youth.
