Dear youth from the UNECE region:

The Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) Europe Regional Caucus is coordinating a series of dialogues and preparatory processes in the lead up to the 2024 UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD), scheduled to take place from 13-14 March in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The 2024 Youth Assembly for the UNECE RFSD will provide a convening space for youth to share their experiences, recommendations and priorities to be presented as collective youth positions during roundtable sessions and bilateral meetings with member states at the RFSD. 

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), set up in 1947 by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations. UNECE brings together 56 member states from North America, Europe, and Central Asia to promote policy dialogue, negotiation of international legal instruments, development of regulations and norms, exchange and application of best practices as well as economic and technical expertise, and technical cooperation for countries with economies in transition. Alongside member states, civil society contributes to UNECE activities through professional organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and now, the youth constituency!

Each year, RFSDs are convened in each of the 5 regional commissions as a critical bridge between global policymaking frameworks and agendas at the national level. The RFSDs serve as fora to strengthen regional level cooperation and map progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda. 

The theme for this year's RFSD is "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Economic Commission for Europe region in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions". The Forum will assess progress, exchange knowledge, as well as identify areas for transformative action in order to achieve the SDGs in line with regional priorities, with a focus on the SDGs under review by this year's High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). The Forum will also support the presentation of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) at the 2024 HLPF.

In the lead-up to the RFSD, children and youth will gather virtually and in-person (at the RFSD itself) to frame their priorities and demands, as well as showcase how young people across the region are leading action on the SDGs. 

The Youth Assembly is a self-organized space - convened by youth, for youth - which provides a dynamic platform for policy discussions, training and capacity building for youth engaging at the RFSD. This year's Assembly is open to all young people (age 30 or under), whether you are participating at the RFSD in person, or following online. 

Reflecting the themes of the RFSD, the Youth Assembly will focus on the SDGs under review, specifically progress in the areas of No Poverty (SDG 1); Zero Hunger (SDG 2); Climate Action (SDG 13); Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16); and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Further discussions will take place on youth contributions / inputs from the region towards the upcoming UN Summit of the Future 2024 in September.

We are seeking volunteers (both in-person and virtually) to support with various tasks of the Youth Assembly and RFSD, including: 

Should you have any questions, please contact the MGCY Europe Regional Caucus Coordinators at rcc.ece@unmgcy.org. Please be welcome to broadcast this further within your networks!