2024 World Youth Development Forum brings together global youth to share views on major issues

The 2024 World Youth Development Forum opened in Beijing on Monday, coinciding with the International Youth Day, with over 2,000 young people from more than 130 countries and 20 international organizations brought together online or in person to discuss major global issues.

More than 500 young leaders and youth representatives gathered for the forum's opening ceremony and plenary meeting. In the coming days, the attendees will visit other Chinese cities, including Nanning in the south and Hangzhou in the east, where they will engage in discussions on green development, digital innovation, cultural heritage, and youth-oriented urban development.

At the opening ceremony, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, in a video message, emphasized that young people are the driving force behind the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and urged efforts to amplify their voices and empower them through education and skills.

"I'm so excited, I'm so happy, because I met a lot of people here," said Muhamad Solahudin Al Ayubi, founder of Sakola Kita, an Indonesian youth-led initiative focused on inclusive empowerment and quality education at both national and international levels.

"Amazing, there are so many nice people, so much cool stuff happening," said Christian Bogelund, curator of Global Shapers Copenhagen, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, created to empower young leaders and give them access to decision makers.

The World Youth Development Forum, a major initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2022, offers a unique platform for vibrant, energetic young voices. During Monday’s opening ceremony, the attendees engaged in discussions with high-level international officials and U.N. representatives.

As a key supporter of the event, the U.N. views youth as essential in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"We are not going to be able to solve the issues of today without bringing young voices to the table. We are not going to be able to solve the challenges for our grandchildren with a system that was designed for our grandparents," said Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs.

A proposal from young people for the upcoming U.N. Summit of the Future was released at the event, alongside the launch of an international cooperation program on youth skills and entrepreneurship training.

"I am very interested in having young people get their first chance into entrepreneurship. Young people can do much more than we think. And we just need to give them a chance to try things out," said Bogelund.

"I'm particularly interested in SDG Point 4, the quality of education. I see that quality of education is something that should be given to all human beings," said Al Ayubi.

The World Youth Development Forum, themed "Together for a Better Future," aims to harness youth power to implement the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Development Initiative.

The forum will run until Aug 17, with collected opinions from the youth to be presented at the U.N. Summit of the Future in September, ensuring that their voices are not only heard but also have a tangible impact.

2024 World Youth Development Forum brings together global youth to share views on major issues

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition