Beijing Declaration on Youth Joint Action

October 2023, Beijing

We, the youth leaders from 100 countries across five continents, gather in Beijing, China from October 30 to November 1, 2023 at the grand event of the 2023 World Youth Development Forum under the theme “Youth Strength for Solidarity and Innovation: Striving Together for Sustainable Development”, to discuss youth empowerment and cooperations over a wide range of areas including digital development, youth development-oriented cities, cultural innovation, and response to climate and food crises. During the forum, the Action Plan for Global Youth Development showcased 100 Excellence Actions for Global Youth Development.

We extend our gratitude to the All-China Youth Federation and the organizing committee of the World Youth Development Forum for providing a valuable platform for global youth to jointly implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Global Development Initiative. We appreciate the efforts made by all parties to empower youth development and support youth actions.

Development is the eternal theme of human society and the most effective way to address the multiple challenges facing the world today. Currently, global development bottlenecks have become increasingly prominent, and the achievements in poverty reduction are being challenged. The growth of emerging markets is slowing down, and challenges regarding food and energy crises are intertwining. Meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 as planned is a cause for concern. As we convene at this moment, many of our peers still lack basic necessities including food, clean water, basic education, and safe working conditions, sending waves of unease to us. We profoundly realize that development is the master key to solving all problems. To address development deficits and our common challenges, joint action of youth is looming ahead.

Here, we jointly make a commitment to uphold —

Solidarity and Cooperation: Pooling the Power of Youth

Different times have different problems, but youth are always the pioneers to recognize and solve them. Global youth shall unite to create a united force, embracing the concept of a global community with a shared future for all. We will champion true multilateralism, reject hegemonism and power politics, and dispel Cold War mentalities and bloc confrontations. Our aim is to reinstate development issues at the heart of both political and international agendas. We will work towards consensus, foster mutual learning and support, and unite through practical actions to promote peaceful development. We are committed to upholding fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, harnessing the collective strength of youth to advance global development, address development deficits, and usher in a new era of solidarity and cooperation among global youth.

Innovation in Action: Injecting Youth Impetus

Innovation is the accelerator of development, while youth are the practitioners of innovation. We shall actively engage in global governance innovation, practice the concept of global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and push the global governance system towards a more just and rational direction. We will lead the way in exploring scientific and technological innovation, dismantling barriers to the flow of innovative ideas, and collaboratively seeking solutions to address significant global challenges through technology and innovation. We shall jointly promote the Action Plan for Global Youth Development, establish an international community for Global Development Youth Pioneer, and solve common development challenges faced by humanity, such as hunger, poverty, climate change, energy crises, and the digital divide in innovative approaches. Simultaneously, we will facilitate the exchange and mutual learning of innovative talents and solutions across borders, disciplines, and regions, infusing youth wisdom and vitality into global development.

Empowering Growth: Manifesting Youth Responsibility

The future of the world belongs to youth, which is the major source of hope. Empowering youth of all abilities, including those with special needs, forms a cornerstone of development. We advocate for the robust implementation of a youth-focused approach, integrating youth-related efforts into both national and international development strategies, and safeguarding the development rights of youth through the establishment of effective youth development policies and implementation mechanisms. We also call for effective platforms for youth participation, facilitating youth engagement in building national and global governance systems, driving national and global development agendas, and participating in policy-making at all levels. We call for a high degree of attention to key areas of youth growth and development, providing a favorable environment and resource support for youth in skills training, innovation, entrepreneurship, decent work, etc. We welcome national and city leaders to establish youth development-oriented cities and communities, empowering youth to integrate with and contribute to urban areas. These efforts will make cities more youth-friendly and ensure that young people can enjoy a more promising future within our cities.

We support the Forum in continuously functioning as an important platform where young people worldwide can contribute to global development, while global efforts are united to promote youth development, advancing international youth agendas and advocating international youth actions, to rally a broader global youth strength for the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.