On 27 October, the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum opened in Samarkand, bringing together around 150 young leaders from more than 140 countries. The opening ceremony, titled Generation of Action, highlighted the vital contribution of youth in addressing climate change and shaping a sustainable future.
Speakers included Lidia Arthur Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences; Elmurod Najimov, Deputy Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Alisher Sadullaev, Director of the Youth Affairs Agency.
Young climate leaders from Nigeria, Egypt, Spain, Bolivia and Brazil presented their initiatives and innovative solutions.
The day concluded with working sessions focused on developing recommendations and a call to action, which will be presented at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference.