United Nations Economic and Social Council: The Italian Delegation’s Participation in the Youth Forum 2026

From April 14 to 16, 2026, the Youth Forum of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the theme "Innovate, Unite and Transform: Youth Shaping the Road to 2030. Engaging Youth and Member States Representatives". During these two days, young people and representatives of UN Member States gathered to discuss concrete solutions capable of accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Representing Italy, upon indication of the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, was Giuseppe Pierro, Head of the Department for Youth Policies and Universal Civil Service of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, accompanied by Valentina Ortolani, a Universal Civil Service volunteer, and Edoardo Italia representing the National Youth Council.

The ECOSOC Youth Forum is an annual initiative of the President of the Council, representing a key platform where young people can contribute to policy discussions at the United Nations through their collective ideas, solutions and innovations.

As the main platform for youth to share their ideas at the global level, the Forum allows representatives of youth-led and youth-focused organizations and networks, youth advocates and other youth stakeholders to dialogue with Member States, and to explore ways and means of promoting youth development and engagement. Participants take part in brainstorming sessions, interactive speaker panels and discussions with Member States on the annual ECOSOC/High-Level Political Forum themes. Other gatherings held in the framework of the Forum, including side events, encourage participants to further engage with one another on a wide range of topics.