UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026
Youth Delegate | Global Youth Philanthropy



Featured on AP News and Yahoo Finance.

Introduction

I am honored to have been selected as a youth representative and delegate at the 2026 United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum. This opportunity was made possible through the support of Global Youth Philanthropy, a UN-affiliated program dedicated to empowering young leaders working toward sustainability and global impact.

The forum brought together youth leaders, policymakers, and global stakeholders to address pressing challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over three days, I engaged in dialogue, shared research, and contributed to conversations shaping the future of sustainable development. During the experience I also had the opportunity to give a presentation at a side event on my own original research about redefining beauty for a sustainable future.



Day 1 - Opening Ceremony — Trusteeship Council Chamber

The forum began with the opening ceremony held in the historic Trusteeship Council Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters. Youth delegates from around the world gathered alongside UN officials and international leaders to set the tone for the days ahead.

The opening emphasized the urgency of youth participation in global decision-making and highlighted the critical role young people play in driving sustainable change.


 

Day 2 - Side Event Speech — Global Youth Philanthropy

Empowering the Next Generation: Transformative Education and Youth Innovation for the SDGs

On the second day, I had the opportunity to deliver a speech at an event hosted by Global Youth Philanthropy and Peaceland Foundation. My talk explored the intersection of cultural preservation, sustainability, and the global beauty industry.

I spoke about how contemporary beauty systems are often driven by immediacy and consumption, prioritizing quick, visible results over long-term well-being. In contrast, I highlighted traditional Japanese beauty practices, where beauty is deeply connected to health, daily ritual, and harmony with nature.

Drawing from my independent research in Japan, I shared insights from conversations with practitioners, including a geiko in Kyoto whose daily makeup routine reflects discipline and intentional care. These practices emphasize minimal waste and respect for both the body and the environment.

I contrasted this with global industry trends that promote uniform standards and resource-intensive production cycles. In doing so, I emphasized what is at stake: the loss of traditional knowledge not only erodes cultural heritage but also displaces sustainable, health-centered ways of living.

The core message of my speech was that beauty systems reflect cultural values. By redefining beauty as care rather than consumption we can promote healthier lifestyles and more sustainable economies.

I concluded by proposing three key actions:

  • Redefining beauty through daily practices of care and well-being

  • Preserving traditional knowledge by documenting and learning from local communities

  • Supporting the evolution of these practices within modern contexts

These ideas align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Day 3 - Main Forum Sessions & Closing Ceremony
Trusteeship Council Chamber



On the final day, I attended the main forum sessions and closing ceremony, again held in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.

Key discussions included:

“Leaving No One Behind – Youth Driving Change in LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, and Marginalized Communities”
This session highlighted the importance of inclusive development and the role of youth in addressing structural inequalities across vulnerable regions.

“Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing as a Foundation for Sustainable Development”
This conversation emphasized that mental health is not separate from sustainability, but foundational to it. Supporting youth wellbeing is essential to enabling long-term social, economic, and environmental progress.

The closing ceremony brought together reflections from across the forum, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth-led action and global collaboration.


Reflection

Participating in the ECOSOC Youth Forum reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary thinking,
cultural awareness, and long-term perspectives in addressing global challenges.

It became clear that sustainability is a deeply cultural issue in addition to being an economic one. By valuing diverse ways of knowing and living, we can create more inclusive and human-centered approaches to development.

This experience strengthened my commitment to bridging research, culture, and innovation in pursuit of a more sustainable future.

Through my participation in the ECOSOC Youth Forum, I once again realized the importance of interdisciplinary thinking, cultural understanding, and a long-term perspective when addressing global issues.

It became clear to me that sustainability is not only an economic issue, but also something deeply rooted in culture, values, and the ways people live their lives. By respecting diverse forms of knowledge, backgrounds, and ways of living, it becomes possible to build more inclusive and human-centered approaches to development.

In addition, through conversations with participants from around the world, my own perspective and values greatly expanded. Although we all came from different cultures and experiences, being able to engage in meaningful discussions together while striving toward a better future was both deeply inspiring and unforgettable.

Through this experience, my determination to connect research, culture, and innovation in order to contribute to a more sustainable and creative future has grown even stronger.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this opportunity possible, to the members of the United Nations, and to the friends and fellow participants I met during the forum.

I truly look forward to the day we can meet again somewhere in the world, each having grown even further since our time together.