Driving Global Youth Action at the UN General Assembly and NYC Climate Week 2025
World Stage
In September 2025, I had the honor of representing the NOURISH Initiative at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and New York Climate Week, standing alongside youth leaders, scientists, and policymakers working toward a shared vision: a just and sustainable planet. These experiences deepened my belief in the power of young voices to bridge the gap between policy and community action.
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At NOURISH, we champion youth-driven innovation for environmental health and equity. Participating in these global convenings reaffirmed our mission—empowering underrepresented youth to transform local challenges into global impact through education, collaboration, and technology.
1. United Nations General Assembly (Sept 19–23)
During the UNGA high-level week, I attended side sessions centered on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) acceleration, youth leadership, and climate resilience. Delegates from across continents discussed how fragmented implementation threatens 2030 targets, urging a renewed focus on localized, data-driven initiatives.
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Key takeaway: Global change begins with local capacity. Youth must serve not only as advocates but as partners in decision-making, shaping agendas that reflect on-the-ground realities.
2. NYC Climate Week: “Deloitte Horizons” and “Youth Uniting for Climate Action” (Sept 24–27)
As part of Deloitte Horizons, I joined young professionals exploring climate innovation through sustainability analytics, circular design, and public-private collaboration. I also participated in youth dialogues emphasizing intergenerational partnership and accountability. Listening to speakers from UNDP, Columbia University, and grassroots networks, I saw how policy ambition must be matched with community implementation.
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Key takeaway: Innovation thrives when empathy meets evidence.
3. Global Networking and Advocacy
Throughout the week, I participated in multiple youth-led networking and panel discussions held near the UN Headquarters and across venues in Manhattan. These events brought together young delegates, NGO representatives, and researchers from regions including the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and North America, who shared on-the-ground experiences in climate education, energy transition, and sustainable policy implementation.
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Key takeaway: Building cross-regional connections allows youth organizations like NOURISH to exchange best practices and align local initiatives with global sustainability goals.