As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary, young innovators are taking center stage in global climate discussions. A live CGTN forum on October 27 will showcase emerging leaders transforming sustainable development goals into tangible solutions for environmental challenges.
The event highlights youth-driven initiatives across three key areas: circular economy models reducing waste in Asian manufacturing hubs, green tech startups revolutionizing renewable energy access, and cross-border climate diplomacy networks. These efforts align with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015, which face renewed urgency amid accelerating climate impacts.
"Young people aren't just future leaders – they're current problem-solvers," said one panelist previewing the discussion. From Manila-based entrepreneurs converting plastic waste into construction materials to Shanghai-developed AI systems optimizing urban energy use, the forum will spotlight Asia's role in sustainable innovation.
With 60% of the world's youth living in Asia, the region's next-generation thinkers are uniquely positioned to bridge policy gaps and market needs. The dialogue comes as global institutions increasingly recognize youth participation as critical to achieving net-zero targets and equitable economic transformation.
