Young People Drive AI Innovation for a Sustainable Future at the 9th Youth Forum on SDG Implementation
August 18, 2025
Incheon, Republic of Korea - On 13 August 2025, the United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG) of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea and Incheon Metropolitan City, successfully completed the 9th Youth Forum on SDG Implementation online.
Under the theme, “Youth as Innovators: Driving AI Solutions for Sustainable Development”, the 9th Youth Forum on SDG Implementation drew significant global engagement, with over 700 registered participants and 100 active attendees from Asia, the Pacific, East Africa, and beyond.
A key highlight of the event was a special message from Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Youth Office, underscoring UN’s commitment to youth empowerment in sustainable development efforts.
Colleagues from the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) also contributed to the event, delivering a presentation on “AI in the Public Sector: Opportunities and Challenges for Youth Empowerment and Engagement”, and participating as an evaluator for the Ideas for Change Contest – an annual contest aimed to showcase youth-driven innovations aimed at accelerating the SDGs.
During the Ideas for Change Contest of the Youth Forum, three winners were selected to receive ministerial and mayoral awards from the MOIS, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the Incheon Metropolitan City. Team SDGirls won first place for their innovative approach called, VoiceBridge Nepal, an AI-powered, human-centred disaster communication tool. The recipients of the MOIS award will be invited to deliver a presentation during the Youth Session of the Regional Symposium on 26 September 2025.
The Forum will continue to serve as a platform for young people to engage in discussions on the 2030 Agenda and provide a venue for the youth to share innovative solutions for SDG implementation.
To learn more and download the presentations during the 9th Youth Forum on SDG Implementation, visit our website here.
