Different Contexts, Common Aspirations

International Youth Day 2026:
Youth and AI Summit

Date 12 August 2026
Venue United Nations Headquarters, New York
Pass pickup opens 8:30 AM
UN Visitors' Entrance, 1st Ave & E 46th St
Programme begins 10:00 AM sharp
Admission Free
Live on UN Web TV Morning & Afternoon Sessions

Young people will live longest with the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. This summit puts them at the center of the conversation, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the day the world recognizes youth.

Watch Live: Morning Session Watch Live: Afternoon Session
The day at a glance
9:00
Check-in and arrivals
Pass pickup at the UN Visitors' Entrance (1st Ave & E 46th St) from 8:30 AM. A valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration is required. Networking in the foyer area.
10:00
Opening Plenary: AI, Youth and Governance
Welcome and framing of the day. Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Stan Smith (Bahamas), the Permanent Mission of Dominica, H.E. Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail (Pakistan), Dr. Felipe Paullier (UN Youth Office), Ali Mustafa (IOY), and Yugratna Srivastava (MGCY). Moderated by Samara.
10:30
Different Contexts: the Lived Reality and the AI Trust Gap
Moderated by Ali Mustafa (IOY), with Ursula Wynhoven (ITU), Quintin Chou-Lambert (UN ODET), and Yu Ping Chan (UNDP), followed by statements and interventions from the floor.
11:30
AI, Human Rights, Peace and Security
Moderated by Enes Guven (IOY), with Joao Felipe Scarpelini (UNFPA), Neil Maru (UN Office of Counter-Terrorism), Jiyoon Kim (DPPA-DPO), and Uzair Hasan (Maxum Foundation), followed by statements and interventions from the floor.
13:00
Lunch break
Break for participants from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Informal networking.
15:00
Workshop on AI for Civil Society
An interactive, practitioner-led workshop with Stephanie Thrasher (Wipfli).
15:30
AI and the Creative Industries
Moderated by Kelly Crisp, with Darius Van Arman (Secretly Group / Merlin) and Katrine Øgaard Jensen (American Literary Translators Association).
16:00
Future of the Workforce and Capacity Building
With Tanveer Ahmed (Maxum Foundation), Xan Northcott (Permanent Mission of the UAE), and Shakhnoza Kayumova (UMass Dartmouth), followed by statements and interventions from the floor.
17:00
Closing segment: Presentation of the Youth-led Declaration
Presentation of the youth-led Declaration on AI Policy and Governance and key messages. Closing remarks by partners. Concludes by 6:00 PM.
Outcome

Youth-led Declaration on
AI Policy and Governance

A declaration developed through the summit, capturing shared youth perspectives, key principles, and concrete recommendations, to be carried forward into the United Nations system. The floor will be open to youth delegates for statements and interventions during most sessions, with instructions provided by moderators on the day. Delegates are encouraged to prepare statements on AI governance, policymaking, and diplomacy.
IOY
Organized by the International Organization of Youth
Partners

Organized in partnership

Organized by

IOY International Organization of Youth (IOY)

Sponsored by

Mission of The Bahamas Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations

In collaboration with

Mission of The Bahamas Mission of Dominica Kingdom of Tonga ITU UN MGCY Maxum Foundation GloCha IAAI Restoring Rainbows Quantum Street International Youth Day 2026

Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations (sponsor), Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union, United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, Maxum Foundation, GloCha, IAAI, Restoring Rainbows, and Quantum Street.

Join us live
on August 12

The Summit is now underway. Watch both sessions live on UN Web TV.

Watch: Morning Session Watch: Afternoon Session

Organized by IOY  ·  iycforyouth.org

Follow @iycforyouth on Instagram for programme updates.