The 2024 World Youth Development Forum (WYDF), themed "Together for a Better Future", kicked off in Beijing on Aug 12.

Over 2,000 young representatives from more than 130 countries and 20 international organizations participated both online and offline.

Sixteen outstanding youth representatives from Beijing International Studies University (BISU), including Mohamed Amine Amrani, from Morocco, a 2024 Chinese Language and Literature major; Alieu F. Balloh, from Liberia, a 2023 Tourism Management major; and Chinese students Wu Jia and Yu Suen, both 2022 German majors, were invited to attend the forum's opening ceremony and plenary session online.

BISU student representatives participate in the online opening ceremony of the 2024 World Youth Development Forum in Beijing on Aug 12, 2024.

The opening ceremony gathered together more than 500 participants, featuring speeches by A Dong, first secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China; Felipe Paullier, UN assistant secretary-general for youth affairs; Xu Xiao, chairman of the All-China Youth Federation; Zhao Fengtao, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency; along with ministers of youth, youth leaders and representatives from various sectors. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed addressed the opening ceremony online. 

In his speech, A Dong encouraged the youth of all nations to take responsibility for promoting peace, openness and innovation, and to work together to build a better future.

Participating guests attend the Ministerial Dialogue of 2024 World Youth Development Forum in Beijing on Aug 12, 2024.

During the plenary session, over 10 ministers of youth shared their views and experiences on advancing global development and empowering youth. Nine project leaders of the Action Plan for Global Youth Development discussed their achievements in promoting youth and global development and their plans for the future. Youth representatives from eight countries also presented the "International Youth Advocacy for the Summit of the Future". The second round of project recruitment and a special fund under the Global Youth Development Action Plan were launched at the forum.

During their stay in Beijing, the youth representatives participated in various activities, including Youth Pre-Meeting for the Summit of the Future. They will also travel to Nanning, Hangzhou, Chongqing and Changsha to attend themed forums and participate in related exchange activities.

Barry Thierno Mamadou Alareny, from the Republic of Guinea, said that the dialogue between the former president of Guinea and the African Union inspired him, making him realize the key role youth play in driving positive changes and development to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Alieu F. Balloh, the BISU representative from Liberia, said that the forum brought together young people with shared visions to face global challenges with a spirit of innovation and cooperation.

For Walter Paiva, who is from Angola, the forum is an incredible experience for young Africans like him, and he hopes to contribute more to global development in the future alongside young people from other countries.

Dellie Angelica Charles, from the Seychelles, highlighted that the forum showed her how creative thinking, sparked by cultural differences, is crucial for global development.

Mohamed Amine Amrani, the Moroccan student from BISU, expressed his gratitude as a Chinese Language and Literature major, saying that the firsthand experience provided by the BISU was invaluable to his studies.

Another BISU representative Wu Jia said he was honored to be a participant in the forum. He recognized that youth are both beneficiaries and drivers of global development and is eager to continue engaging with the forum's activities and seek more opportunities for exchange.

The forum is co-hosted by the All-China Youth Federation, the United Nations in China, and the World Youth Development Forum Committee, with support from organizations such as the International Labour Organization, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and UNESCO.

Since its inception in 2022 in Beijing, the forum has aimed to harness the power of youth to advance the Global Development Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.