30 Years of the World Programme of Action for Youth (High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth)

To mark this occasion, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/289, the President of the General Assembly is convening a high-level plenary meeting on Thursday, 25 September 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York, under the theme, "World Programme of Action for Youth at 30: Accelerating Global Progress Through Intergenerational Collaboration."

This event will bring together UN Member States, young people, civil society, UN entities, and other stakeholders to:

• Take stock of what has been achieved over the last 30 years
• Share good practices and innovations for advancing the implementation of WPAY
• Identify current challenges and actionable solutions
• Chart the way forward through intergenerational collaboration.

The meeting will be open to the public via livestream on UN Web TV.

The high-level meeting is designed to spotlight ways in which meaningful youth participation and intergenerational collaboration can advance progress on WPAY and the broader youth agenda.

Below is a look at the structure of the day.

• 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. (Conference Room 4)
  
  • Opening segment
• 9:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Conference Room 4)
  
  • Plenary segment
• 9:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Conference Room 3)
  
  • Panel 1: Advancing Implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth to Leave No One Behind
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  
  • Lunch break
• 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Conference Room 4)
  
  • Plenary segment continues
• 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Conference Room 3)
  
  • Panel 2: Full, Effective and Meaningful Youth Participation, at National and International Levels, For the Benefit of Current and Future Generations.
• 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Conference Room 4)
  
  • Closing segment

The plenary segments will feature statements from governments, youth delegates, UN leaders, and other key partners.

The intergenerational panels will spotlight real-world experiences and examples of how youth and older generations are working together to create change.

In closing the meeting, the President of the General Assembly will share a summary of key takeways.

For more information, click here to read the Concept Note for the event.

Participation is open to:

• All UN Member States and Observer States
• Youth representatives and civil society organizations with accreditation
• UN entities, agencies and specialized bodies

At a time of rapid global change, rising inequality and conflict, and growing frustration with status quo systems, accelerating the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth is more important than ever.

The 30th Anniversary of WPAY is more than a milestone — it’s a chance to reinvigorate global efforts to create a world where young people:

• Can meaningfully shape the decisions and policies that affect their lives
• Have equal access to rights, resources and opportunities
• Are engaged as full partners in building a more just and sustainable future.

We invite young people, allies, institutions and governments to join us in making this moment count.