🌍 International Youth Day 2025: Empowering Local Youth Actions for Global Goals
Every year on 12 August, the United Nations leads the global celebration of International Youth Day, spotlighting the vital role young people play in shaping societies worldwide. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1999 and first observed in 2000, this day was created to promote youth empowerment, encourage participation, and raise awareness of their challenges and potential.
In 2025, the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond” underscores how youth-driven initiatives at the community level can make substantial progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals—and even extend beyond them. Whether it's climate resilience, education, inclusion, or innovation, youth are demonstrating that local action can spark global transformation.
The official UN observance will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, coordinated by UN DESA and UN-Habitat. Events will include interactive dialogues between youth, policymakers, urban planners, and development practitioners, as well as a youth innovation showcase and storytelling series to amplify grassroots success stories.
Around the world, celebrations will vary—from university workshops and public forums to cultural festivals and social media campaigns—but the unifying message remains clear: empowering youth at the local level paves the way for a more sustainable and inclusive global future.
