VARANASI: The four-day Youth 20 (Y20) summit concluded on August 20, marking a dynamic exchange of ideas and vision among youth delegates from G20 and guest countries. The summit saw spirited discussions on crucial global issues, including climate change, peace-building, the future of work, and health.
Key recommendations included the empowerment of lifelong learning; fortifying the global workforce to confront emerging challenges; bolstering international research collaboration; advocating universal gig workers’ rights; and implementing accessible sustainable financing and mentoring mechanisms.
High-level participation
The summit was inaugurated on the second day by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, and was attended by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur. It provided a vibrant space for over 100 youths from G20 countries, guest countries, and international organisations to deliberate on the Y20 draft communiqué.
The discussions primarily centred around five identified themes: the future of work; peace-building and reconciliation; climate change and disaster risk reduction; shared future and health; wellbeing, and sports.
Collective vision The culmination of the summit saw the signing of the Y20 communiqué, representing the collective vision across the five themes. This outcome serves as a testimony to the unity of young people’s voices and their commitment to influencing high-level global decisions.
Representatives from India’s Y20 Chair, the Indonesia Organising Committee, and the Brazil Organising Committee jointly released the communiqué. As part of the broader framework of the G20 presidency, the Y20 journey achieved significant milestones, contributing to the shaping of global discourse.
Underpinning the Y20 proceedings were a range of events across the nation, including a curtain raiser in New Delhi, an inception meeting in Guwahati, a Y20 Pre-Summit in Leh, Ladakh, and 14 consultations at various universities.
In addition, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) organised 50 brainstorming sessions.