(UN GYCS25): Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals
Brief Report on the Youth Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (UN GYCS25): India's Vision for the United Nations 2030 Global Agenda
On July 10, 2025, the UN Global Youth Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (UN GYCS25) was held in India under the leadership of Dharahas B, who served as the Chief Organizer of this major international event
The conference brought together representatives from over 45 countries, with 17 breakout rooms aligned with the 17 UN SDGs.It was held under the strategic theme: “Connecting Nations, Empowering SDGs for India: Advancing Countries’ Vision for UN SDGs on a Global Stage”
The event positioned India not only as a contributor to the SDG agenda but as a policy driver and diplomatic anchor at the global level. Dharahas opened the conference with a keynote address emphasizing the critical midpoint of the 2030 Agenda and the urgent need to shift from inspiration to institutional action. He underscored India’s emerging role as a global innovation hub and the transformative potential of Adaptive Intelligence as a model for inclusive, ethical, and decentralized development, particularly under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
The conference was also honored by the presence of Tarun Ghulati Ji, who delivered a keynote as Special Chief Guest, sharing impactful reflections on diplomacy, digital transformation, and multistakeholder collaboration for SDG implementation
One of the most prominent elements of the event was the official conference Draft Report, which was professionally moderated and compiled by Dr. Jamila from Morocco, representing Africa
Her leadership in drafting the official outcomes ensured that the recommendations would be submitted directly to the Prime Minister’s Office of India, translating youth-led dialogue into concrete institutional influence
The conference outcomes went beyond symbolic participation, launching several impactful initiatives such as the Global SDG Fellowship Program, the A.I.D.E. Framework (Access, Interoperability, Decentralization, and Ethics), and the OpenComAI SDG 9 Innovation Exchange, which aims to foster collaborative infrastructure, youth-led policy prototypes, and ethical AI systems across global regions
Participants were urged to think beyond conventional metrics and toward a vision where infrastructure, both physical and digital, serves communities and dignity, not just productivity. In the closing ceremony, Dharahas reiterated that GYCS25 was not just an event but the ignition of a movement — a moment that should spark long-term collaboration and measurable progress
He emphasized the importance of continuity through an annual policy and innovation ecosystem, localization and globalization of the outcomes, and true institutional integration of youth voices in global governance structures
Following the event, Dharahas formally clarified, in coordination with government authorities, that Mr. Aditya Dhanraj — previously believed to be a leading organizer — is not officially recognized by the Government of India as a chief organizer or core organizer. Instead, he is listed only as a co-coordinator from India. The government explicitly requested that his name not be listed under "high-level delegations" or referenced in official publications, reports, or WhatsApp communications related to the conference, in alignment with official national protocol
This clarification was communicated transparently to all stakeholders involved, including Dr. Jamila, Dr. Mohammad, and Chris, in order to preserve the credibility, compliance, and institutional integrity of the GYCS25 outcomes
