Youth at the Heart of Social Progress: 30 Years of the World Programme of Action for Youth

13 August 2025: The World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY) was adopted in 1995 by the UN General Assembly, marking it the first action plan on policies and programmes designed to promote the youth standards of living, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress and development, in all parts of the world.

A Blueprint for Youth Development

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The WPAY outlines 15 priority areas such as education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, and environment. It outlines principles, objectives, and proposals for action for member states and international partners. It provides a cross-sectoral standard relating to both policymaking and programme design and delivery at all levels.

2025 marks 30 years since the WPAY, also coinciding with other milestones such as 80 years since the creation of the United Nations, three years since the establishment of the UN Youth Office, one year since the adoption of the Pact for the Future, and the halfway point of Youth2030, the UN Youth Strategy. With preparations for the Second World Summit on Social Development underway, spotlighting youth in conversations surrounding economic and social development is key to creating inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

High-Level Meeting at UN Headquarters

On 25 September 2025, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/289, the UN General Assembly will convene a high-level plenary meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting will be under the theme “World Programme of Action for Youth at 30: Accelerating global progress through intergenerational collaboration”.

Today, there are 1.2 billion young people (15–24 years old), who play a vital role in driving progress across societies. Their participation in policymaking and decision-making is indispensable in making an equitable and sustainable world. While they are key in creating new solutions to challenges that the world is facing, they are also particularly affected by global issues, including persistent inequalities, conflicts, and digital transformations.

The high-level meeting will serve as a global platform to address these challenges that young people face, while strengthening the political commitment to policies and programmes that invest in and promote youth participation. The meeting will provide an opportunity for sharing perspectives, experiences, and good practices to advance the continued implementation of the WPAY, and to identify and find solutions to challenges that hinder progress.

Looking Ahead

The high-level meeting will be a timely opportunity to galvanize momentum and align youth-focused priorities ahead of the Second World Summit on Social Development. By bringing together diverse voices and fostering dialogue, it can help set the stage for bold, inclusive, and actionable commitments that place young people at the heart of sustainable development.

For more information on the high-level meeting, click here.