PROVINCE REPORT
GENEVA, Switzerland: The Council for Global Affairs & Development (CGAD) has opened applications for the Youth Forum on UN Global Goals 2026 (YFGG 2026), a four-day international youth forum scheduled to take place in Geneva from December 14 to 17, 2026.
The forum is expected to bring together 160 young delegates from all nationalities, including young leaders, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators and civil-society practitioners.
Participants will engage in plenary sessions, workshops, networking, institutional engagement and youth-led discussions focused on sustainable development, international cooperation and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Six Key Themes
YFGG 2026 will focus on six thematic pillars: UN Sustainable Development Goals; Youth-Led Sustainable Development; Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion; Inclusive Growth and Global Partnerships; Leadership for Resilient Futures; and Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Building on Istanbul Declaration
The forum builds on the first Youth Forum on UN Global Goals, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, in April 2026. The event concluded with the Istanbul Youth Declaration, reflecting participants’ commitment to sustainable development, international cooperation and youth-led action.
CGAD also recently concluded the first Global Youth Impact Summit (GYIS) in Porto, Portugal, which brought together international youth leaders and stakeholders and resulted in the Porto Youth Declaration.
Applications Open
Applications are open to eligible participants of all nationalities and will close on October 18, 2026. Places will be confirmed on a rolling basis.
Applicants requiring a Schengen visa have been encouraged to apply early. Applications and further information are available through the official CGAD platform.
The Geneva forum will combine expert discussions, youth leadership activities, networking, institutional engagement, cultural exchange and collaborative work towards a new youth declaration.
With Geneva serving as a major centre of international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation, YFGG 2026 aims to provide young people with opportunities to connect with international institutions and emerging leaders from around the world.
