From August 12 to September 15, the United Nations in Vietnam organized a meaningful series of activities to mark International Youth Day 2025, highlighted by the Youth Initiatives Fair for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The theme of International Youth Day 2025 is “Local Youth Acting for SDGs and a Sustainable Future,” emphasizing the pivotal role of young people in realizing global Sustainable Development Goals in local contexts. This affirms that youth are not merely beneficiaries of development but active agents of change, innovation, and leadership.

A vibrant week of activities commemorating International Youth Day (Credit: United Nations in Vietnam)

Diverse Activities at the Youth Initiatives Fair

The Youth Initiatives Fair brought together young leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, startup founders, artists, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ youth, and representatives from ethnic minority groups. Participants experienced exhibition booths, numerous creative activities, and opportunities to connect with organizations promoting sustainable innovation, inclusive education, climate action, and social justice. The fair aimed to share youth-led initiatives with the public, foster collaboration, and spark new ideas to contribute to achieving the SDGs in Vietnam.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, affirmed that Vietnamese youth are a vital force, accounting for about 21% of the population. With their energy, creativity, and diversity, youth play a central role in driving progress. From community initiatives to advanced research and social entrepreneurship, young people are delivering solutions to address climate change, promote gender equality, education, and many other pressing issues. The United Nations in Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to partnering with youth networks and organizations, upholding youth as essential partners in building an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, shared: “International Youth Day is an opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing youth while recognizing their energy, resilience, and transformative contributions to society, peace, and sustainable development. It reminds us that youth are not just leaders of tomorrow but are already assuming leadership roles today.”

Vibrant colors from activities at the Youth Initiatives Fair (Credit: United Nations in Vietnam)

With over 30 youth-initiated projects from across the country – spanning sustainable innovation, inclusive education, climate action, and social justice – the event created a space for connection, creativity, and powerful inspiration for everyone.

On this occasion, the United Nations in Vietnam launched a call for participation in the Youth Advisory Group (YAG), a platform for youth to consult, engage, and lead in UN processes in Vietnam. This enhances intergenerational dialogue, amplifies youth voices, promotes youth-initiated and led activities, ensures the UN works for and with youth, and enables young people to contribute positively to UN strategies, policies, and programs to “leave no one behind.”

Youth Voices in Workshops and Idea Presentations

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) co-organized the talk “Promoting Human Development through Inclusive Climate Solutions Led by Youth” at the Green One UN House in Hanoi.

Discussion groups at the talk (Credit: UNDP in Vietnam)

The event took place amid stalled global progress in human development. According to UNDP, no country has achieved sustainable human development while staying within planetary boundaries. This calls for new approaches – more inclusive, sustainable, and youth-centered in transformation.

At the talk, over 70 young delegates, along with experts and international organization representatives, discussed the pioneering role of youth – especially young women – in advancing creative climate solutions. Consensus emerged that inclusive climate governance is foundational to protecting the three key pillars of human development: health, education, and living standards.

To achieve this, the international community and domestic partners need to:

1. Invest long-term in youth capacities, ideas, and initiatives.
2. Promote multi-stakeholder collaboration, building bridges between international networks, businesses, social organizations, and local communities.
3. Expand innovative funding models, ensuring youth have a voice and decision-making power in resource allocation.

Ms. Đỗ Lê Thu Ngọc from UNDP emphasized that inclusive climate governance for human development requires transparency, accountability, and participation from all groups, especially youth, to drive a just and sustainable transition.

Ms. Lương Như Oanh from UN Women shared an approach centered on people and the planet, integrating gender equality into climate action to empower women and vulnerable groups while enabling them to contribute effectively to climate solutions.

Many practical models were introduced, notably the 30 climate initiatives by 30 Shaker Fellows – projects proposed and led by local youth. These showcased young people’s strong creativity in addressing climate, environment, and social justice issues, while outlining pathways to build capacity through communication support, expert connections, and expanding youth-founded organizations.

The talk’s common message affirmed: Youth are not just beneficiaries but drivers of climate solutions, contributing to a greener, fairer, and more sustainable Vietnam.

In parallel with the talk, the spirit of innovation continued through the Pitching Round of the Top 10 UNESCO Water Challenge 2025 – a competition seeking initiatives to address water challenges. From nearly 100 proposals nationwide, 10 promising teams presented breakthrough solutions to experts: from seawater filtration, AI for water quality monitoring, alum water treatment, air conditioner water reuse, to water resource protection campaigns.

Youth groups presenting their initiatives (Credit: United Nations in Vietnam)

Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, emphasized: “You are not just contestants in a competition. You are our partners in creating a future where everyone has access to safe, sustainable, and equitable water.”

Mr. Jonathan Baker speaking at the presentation (Credit: United Nations in Vietnam)

Despite diverse methods and creative materials, the ideas converged on one point: action for water, action for community. This is how young people powerfully responded to International Youth Day 2025 – not just talking about the future but actively shaping it today.

Film Screenings on Important Social Themes

In addition to talks and idea presentations, the series for International Youth Day 2025 created spaces for young people to delve into social issues through films selected by UN agencies in Vietnam. Screenings ran from August 12 to 21 at the Green One UN House, rooms C1–C2, offering perspectives on gender equality, inclusion, sustainable labor, and rights of people with disabilities.

Opening the program, UNFPA introduced three films: My Voice; Listen to Her, Cura Sana, and My Life I Don’t Want – works directly reflecting gender-based violence. About 50 young people joined the post-screening discussion, sharing views on safety, human rights, and solutions to promote communities that respect women and girls. This also kicked off UNFPA’s youth week, with a commitment to continue partnering with youth to change social norms and build a more equal environment.

Screening of UNFPA short films (Credit: UNFPA)

UNDP presented Crip Camp (August 15), a documentary about a summer camp for disabled teenagers that sparked the movement for access and inclusion in the United States. This inspiring story opened a forum for Vietnamese youth to reflect on inclusivity and accessibility in their own communities.

Next, ILO plans to screen From Beans to Brew: A Journey into the Lives of Coffee Workers (August 19), focusing on sustainable labor in the coffee industry – a sector tied to the livelihoods of millions of young people in Vietnam. On August 21, Manchester Acatitla, co-screened by UN Women and the Embassy of Mexico, will delve deeper into stories of empowerment, justice, and community strength.

Following the Youth Initiatives Fair, UN agencies will continue events such as film screenings, initiative competitions, and consultation sessions until September 15.

Event schedule until September 15 (Credit: United Nations in Vietnam)