Harnessing the potential of youth to turbo-charge…

The objectives of the thematic session on SDG 9 are to:

1. Raise awareness about youth's priorities and challenges pertaining to SDG 9.
2. Highlight youth's experiences and youth-led entrepreneurial initiatives advancing SDG 9 (and other interrelated SDGs), which could possibly be adapted/replicated/scaled up.
3. Disseminate international best practices in empowering youth in the context of SDG 9 in different contexts.
4. Discuss the key enablers and policies needed, including industrial policies, those for financial inclusion and for the promotion of innovative entrepreneurship, to maximize youth's contributions to SDG 9. Discuss how governments, support institutions and the international development community can empower youth to serve as accelerators of resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and innovation, with a particular focus on rural communities.  
5. Identify concrete recommendations and mobilize youth actions to advance the implementation of SDG 9. 

The parallel thematic breakout sessions will review progress in the 4 SDGs and make recommendations for implementation at national, regional and global levels.

The 2023 Annual Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, will take place over three days on 25-27 April 2023, guided by the theme of the 2023 HLPF on "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels". Youth will be given the opportunity to present their assessment, vision and recommendations for member states' consideration ahead of the SDG Summit in September 2023.