Global Youth Summit for Sustainability 2026 Youth Voices, Global Action, Sustainable Change
from across the globe
& action
Four days where young people led the conversation
The Youth Centre for Dialogue and Peace (YCDP), in collaboration with Bahçeşehir University, successfully organized the Global Youth Summit for Sustainability 2026 from 21 to 24 May 2026.
The four-day summit brought together fifty young delegates from across the globe, providing an inclusive platform to engage in dialogue, share experiences, and promote the values of peace, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation.
Distinguished voices set the tone
Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye
Prof. Esra Hatipoğlu
Rector of Bahçeşehir University
Mr. Yama Sukhanyar
Executive Director of the Youth Center for Dialogue and Peace
Their addresses underscored the crucial role of youth in global governance and the importance of inclusive dialogue in fostering peace and innovation.
From the opening stage to the waterfront walk
Empowering Youth to Lead Climate Solutions for Sustainable Communities
After the keynote speeches, a panel discussion, moderated by Bülent Açıkgöz from UNRCO Türkiye, brought together practitioners working across climate transparency, youth engagement, and sustainability.
Mr. Açıkgöz kicked off the conversation by emphasising that climate action is not a standalone agenda but is deeply connected to all of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Intergenerational justice sits at the heart of climate governance: today’s decisions will shape the rights, opportunities, and wellbeing of future generations. Panel opening · Bülent Açıkgöz, UNRCO Türkiye
Panel I · on stage
Zeynep Bakir
Highlighted the urgency of the global climate crisis and the role of initiatives such as the COP process and Climate Promise in helping countries strengthen their climate commitments and long-term strategies, turning global commitments into locally driven action.
Nilgün Çavuşoğlu
Focused on inclusion, calling for meaningful participation by young people, particularly those from vulnerable communities, and highlighted youth-led initiatives as drivers of innovation, awareness, and accountability.
Kamil Koray Eryilmaz
Emphasised the role of young people in connecting advocacy, academia, and policymaking.
A full house of young leaders
Panel II
Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Tomorrow
A meaningful discussion focused on empowering youth for a sustainable tomorrow, where speakers shared their perspectives on the power of youth-led innovation, leadership, and practical solutions in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Ideas to sustain ourselves and the systems around us
Session
Energy. Impact. Leadership: Sustainability Starts With Yourself
This session explored a dimension of sustainability that often receives less attention: human energy. It highlighted that before we can sustain organizations, communities, systems, or the planet, we must also learn to sustain ourselves. Our time, attention, emotional capacity and energy are limited resources, and neglecting them can lead to stress, exhaustion and burnout.
Session
Strategic Sustainability in Humanitarian Action: The Next-Gen Perspective
Ms. Ergani shared valuable insights into the importance of strategic sustainability in humanitarian action, highlighting the need for organisations to move beyond short-term responses to longer-term approaches that strengthen resilience, improve the effectiveness of interventions, and keep assistance relevant and impactful over time.
The discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on how humanitarian action can balance immediate needs with longer-term priorities, while fostering stronger systems, partnerships, and capacities that contribute to lasting humanitarian impact.
180 seconds to inspire change
A major highlight of the summit was the “Youth Solutions: 180-Second Segment,” where participants presented their innovative ideas on sustainable development and social impact.
These concise yet impactful presentations demonstrated the creativity and dedication of a new generation eager to make a meaningful difference.
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Young leaders, diverse backgrounds , one shared vision
The summit brought together young leaders from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, all united by a shared vision to amplify youth voices in global dialogue.
Their consistent engagement and positive feedback reflected the success of the program and its impact on fostering leadership, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding.
A Walk for Sustainability toward Galataport
The event concluded with a Walk for Sustainability toward Galataport in Istanbul, followed by a photo session at “The City of Names.”
The walk reflected our collective commitment to sustainability and to building a more resilient and peaceful future.
The summit in 18 photos
A testament to YCDP’s dedication to the next generation of leaders
The Global Youth Summit for Sustainability 2026 stands as a testament to YCDP’s dedication to empowering the next generation of global leaders through dialogue, understanding, and action.
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