The World Health Organization’s Youth Council has hosted a virtual discussion to mark International Youth Day 2025, bringing together more than 300 young people from across the globe along with WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The interactive session allowed participants to share ideas and pose questions to Dr Tedros on the importance of youth involvement in health advocacy, policy, and decision-making.
“It is an honour to join you on International Youth Day,” Dr Tedros said. “Today is not just a celebration, it is a conversation centred on this year’s theme, Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond. It reminds us that the global changes envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals depend on action rooted locally, in our neighbourhoods and communities.”
The dialogue also focused on the WHO Youth Council Declaration for Creating Healthy Societies, with discussions on how its recommendations could be implemented at national and community levels.
The WHO Youth Council was established to ensure young voices are integral to decisions affecting their health and wellbeing. The council is a diverse network of youth representatives from health and non-health organisations and movements. It advises the WHO Director-General and senior leadership, and acts as a platform for developing new initiatives and expanding youth engagement within the organisation.
