The 5th UNCTAD Youth Forum will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 20 to 23 October 2025 as part of the 16th quadrennial conference of UNCTAD.
A series of events will take place in Room 200 of the H Building at the Palais des Nations, with an additional event jointly organized with WIPO scheduled for the afternoon of 21 October. The final session of the Youth Forum will be held in the Assembly Hall on 23 October. Youth may also participate in Roundtables and Parallel events.
For further information, download the full programme
The purpose of the UNCTAD16 dialogue with youth is to empower young people aged 18-30 to share their diverse perspectives, expertise, and innovative solutions on key trade and development issues, such as economic transformation, sustainability, and digital economy challenges, to help shape policies and development priorities for a more equitable and inclusive global future.
Key Aspects of the UNCTAD Youth Forum
Purpose:
The Forum provides a platform for young people to engage with UNCTAD, government representatives, and other stakeholders to voice their ideas and contribute to discussions on sustainable development.
Participants:
It brings together students and young professionals aged 18-30 from various backgrounds who are interested in trade and development.
Theme:
The Forum is held under the umbrella of UNCTAD16's theme, "Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development".
Key Issues:
Discussions focus on current global trade, finance, and technology trends, with an emphasis on how science, technology, innovation, and ethical considerations can foster sustainable growth and address future challenges.
Output:
The Forum aims to develop actionable solutions and diverse input from youth that can influence policy recommendations and set work priorities for the future of trade and development.
