2024-2025 engagements

In 2024, the Youth Assembly hosted pivotal events to advance youth participation in the bioeconomy. These included the Thematic Youth Assembly session on bridging youth visions for the bioeconomy, held as a side event during the Global Bioeconomy Summit in Nairobi, alongside a dedicated side event at the 29th Session of COAG. Both events sparked dynamic dialogue on youth-led solutions and reinforced youth involvement in shaping the future of bioeconomy systems.

In 2025, the Thematic Youth Assembly on Bioeconomy focused on a consultative process with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) to support the establishment of a global multistakeholder partnership on bioeconomy. As the proposal of this partnership required a series of stakeholder consultations, the Youth Assembly convened a dedicated session to engage youth stakeholders. This process resulted in the submission of a report to OCB and the presentation of a Youth Statement at the World Food Forum flagship event.

Key youth priorities that emerged from these engagements included:

• creating policies that prioritize investment in bioeconomy education, vocational training and skills development programmes for preparing young leaders to drive sustainable transformation;
• building stronger partnerships across sectors, including agriculture, energy and forestry, to foster innovation and knowledge-sharing in bioeconomy practices;
• establishing funding mechanisms, mentorship opportunities and accessible platforms that enable meaningful participation in bioeconomy initiatives; and
• creating inclusive and adaptive policies that reflect the diverse needs of youth, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, while remaining adaptable to emerging innovations and technologies.

Tentative 2026 engagements

The 2026 Youth Assembly on bioeconomy will focus on increasing awareness and education on the bioeconomy within agrifood systems, while strengthening youth participation in global bioeconomy governance, with emphasis on local bioeconomy initiatives grounded in local realities, best practices, Indigenous knowledge and strategic partnerships.

The Youth Assembly will also prioritize translating the commitments from the Youth Statement on Bioeconomy into concrete actions that promote more resilient, circular and inclusive agrifood systems.

Looking ahead, the Youth Assembly has developed a youth-driven roadmap that outlines key engagement opportunities and policy priorities in the lead-up to the Global Bioeconomy Summit, taking place 20–21 October 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. This roadmap will ensure young people remain central to shaping sustainable agrifood systems, and positioning youth as key innovators and decision-makers in building a more equitable, climate-resilient and food-secure future.