Representing India at the 14th Edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Theme of the Forum — “Climate Action and Social Impacts, Particularly for Young People”

[**Post Originally Published on the 18th of October 2025**]

I am elated and grateful to represent the Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya) 🇮🇳 at the 14th Edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 27–28 October. Bringing together around 150 youth leaders from over 140 countries, the Forum — on the theme “Climate Action and Social Impacts, Particularly for Young People” — shall spotlight youth-led climate leadership and explore ways to amplify it globally, ensuring that youth voices and recommendations feed directly into global policy dialogues.

The 14th edition of the Youth Forum, held immediately before UNESCO’s General Conference, echoes the call from youth leaders around the world: climate action cannot wait. Building on the outcomes of the previous edition of the Forum (2023), the 150 youth leaders shall identify ways to accelerate progress toward achieving more impactful climate action and positive social change.

I shall be actively contributing as the youth delegate representing the Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya) 🇮🇳, UNESCO MGIEP’s Youth Advisory Group Member, and rapporteur for the Asia-Pacific Region to the ‘Conclusions of the Youth Forum’ (Call for Action and Global and Regional Recommendations), as well as participating in working sessions, panel discussions, cultural activities, and other events — voicing youth perspectives, challenges, and innovative solutions.

Additionally, I really look forward to presenting as the project lead, at the Project Showcase, my Action Project on “Universally Accessible and Culturally-rooted Education for Inclusive Climate Action, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Environmental Protection”, selected under the UNESCO’s Global Youth Grant Scheme (GYGS), at the Forum’s Project Café (28 October), with active participation and input from all participants.

As a lawyer, environmental researcher, disability rights advocate, and practitioner of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), my work focuses on the convergence of law, inclusion, and sustainability.

At the Forum, I shall highlight the disproportionate impacts of the “Common Concerns of Humankind” — including the planetary crisis, polycrisis, and threat multipliers — on vulnerable communities (particularly persons with disabilities) and ecosystems, as well as losses and damages to (in)tangible cultural heritage. Moreover, I shall advocate for “Universally Accessible and Culturally-rooted Education for Inclusive Climate Action, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Environmental Protection,” integrating universal design for learning, interactive storytelling and roleplays, educational and learning games, Indian Knowledge Systems, and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge.

Like the squirrel in the Ramāyaṇa who contributed to building the Śrī Rāmasetu (the bridge to Sri Lanka), I hope this Forum and our collective efforts make their own modest yet meaningful contribution — catalysing, nudging, and triggering transformative change by harnessing the multiplier effect of Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development through youth-led climate action that leaves no one behind.

I am optimistic that the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum 2025 will pave the way for inclusive and sustainable solutions to the disproportionate impacts of the “Common Concerns of Humankind” — from planetary crises to climate change and its cascading threat multipliers — particularly for young people. Together, let us Build Forward Better (climate-resilient and sustainable), where We All Belong (inclusive, equitable, and universally accessible), and move closer to achieving intergenerational equity and climate justice.

Visual/Image Description [Alt Text]: The top half features a young girl wearing a straw hat and a plaid shirt, sitting outdoors in a garden/greenhouse setting, holding a small plant with exposed roots, smiling warmly. In the background, there are green plants and hanging fruits, suggesting a focus on sustainable agriculture. Half of the image is in grey to highlight the social impacts of climate change. Text on the left side reads: “14TH EDITION” and “YOUTH FORUM”, followed by the UNESCO logo — in large, bold yellow letters with a black outline. Below that is “27–28 October 2025 | Silk Road Congress Centre, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.” The overall tone of the image is bright and positive, emphasising youth engagement and environmental themes. In the lower half, on a grey background with golden Mandala art, there’s an image of Abhishek Kumar (wearing a blue traditional Bhāratīya Kurta), along with the following details: “Climate Action and Social Impacts, Particularly for Young People” and “Delegate Representing India 🇮🇳 Bhārat.”

About the 14th Edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum 2025 —

Visual/Image Description [Alt Text]: The top half features a young girl wearing a straw hat and a plaid shirt, sitting outdoors in a garden/greenhouse setting, holding a small plant with exposed roots, smiling warmly. In the background, there are green plants and hanging fruits, suggesting a focus on sustainable agriculture. Half of the image is in grey to highlight the social impacts of climate change. Text on the left side reads: “14TH EDITION” and “YOUTH FORUM”, followed by the UNESCO logo — in large, bold yellow letters with a black outline. Below that is “27–28 October 2025 | Silk Road Congress Centre, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.” The overall tone of the image is bright and positive, emphasising youth engagement and environmental themes.

About the UNESCO Youth Forum —

[embed]Youth Forum The Forum provides youth with a space to engage in discussion & debate, and to share recommendations & solutions with…www.unesco.org

About the 14th Edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum 2025 —

[embed]14th Edition of the UNESCO Youth Forum On 27-28 October 2025, approximately 150 youth leaders from nearly 140 countries will gather in Samarkand, Uzbekistan…www.unesco.org

About the Author —

Adv. Abhishek Kumar (The Sangyan By Abhishek), Founder and Curator of The Sangyan | द संज्ञान, Prakalp Drishtant | Project Drishtant | प्रकल्प दृष्टान्त, and the ‘Build Forward Better’ Campaign