Youth Innovations for Sustainable Development and the World Peoples Assembly’s Projects were discussed at the United Nations Economic and Social Council in New York

Session “Youth Innovation for Sustainable Development: Strengthening Inclusive Technology Ecosystems” took place within the framework of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, held from April 14 to 16, 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event was organized by the OIC Youth Forum of Islamic Cooperation (ICYF) and the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey.

The event was dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG-9 (industrialization, innovation, infrastructure) and SDG-17 (partnership for sustainable development).

The Session was moderated by Sinan Karsiyaka, Director at ICYF Secretariat.

Welcoming remarks were made by:

·        H.E. Taha Ayhan, President of ICYF;

The participants of the panel discussion:

·        H.E. Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of the Gambia;

·        H.E. Hameed Ajibaiye Opeloyeru, Permanent Observer for OIC to the UN (TBC);

·        Dima Al-Khatip, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC);

·        Alana Kochieva - Head of the Department for International Education and Partnerships at the World Peoples Assembly.

At the beginning of her speech, Alana Kochieva conveyed greetings from the Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly Andrey Belyaninov, as well as gratitude to the Assembly’s strategic partner, the leadership of the OIC Youth Forum of Islamic Cooperation.

Alana Kochieva emphasized that today the world is at the crossroads of history – on the way to achieving the SDGs. It is the World Peoples Assembly, that unites representatives of more than 70 countries, that creates the very ecosystem where young people can become a key agent of change. To reinforce her words, she spoke in detail about the activities of the World Peoples Assembly and its flagship projects.

Also, Alana Kochieva noted that strengthening cooperation in promoting youth solutions for sustainable development requires conscious reliance on the basis of shared values, and called for action in three key areas:

·        through education - fostering global citizenship, critical thinking and respect for diversity;

·        through ethical innovation - strengthening cultural exchange through technology;

·        through dialogue - creating platforms such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum, where young people from different cultures and civilizations can interact and discuss shaping a common future.

During the event, the participants discussed the role of young people as key drivers of technological transformation. It was noted that innovative ecosystems combining government support, scientific institutions and international cooperation allow young entrepreneurs to scale their solutions, from climate initiatives to sustainable urban development.

The United Nations ECOSOC Forum is a key dialogue platform where young leaders can directly participate in shaping the global agenda and discuss the organization's policy issues, propose collective ideas and initiatives to achieve the goals of sustainable development.

More information is on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly and at mailto:media@world-assembly.org.