The VII Young Americas Forum is the official platform of the X Summit of the Americas, created by the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT). It will bring together youth from across the Americas, along with international organizations, governments, the private sector, and civil society, to present the Youth Declaration of Commitment. This document will be delivered to the Heads of State at the X Summit of the Americas as a result of a consultation process with young people on the priority issues of the hemispheric agenda.
TOPICS
Citizen Security
Citizen security in the Americas represents both a challenge and an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation and social cohesion. Through prevention programs, youth inclusion, and the use of data for decision-making, innovative solutions are being promoted to create safer environments.
Food Security
Latin America and the Caribbean have the potential to be global leaders in ensuring food security, thanks to their agricultural and water wealth. However, it is urgent to transform this potential into equitable, nutritious, and sustainable access for all communities.
Energy Security
Energy security in the Americas represents an opportunity to harness the abundance of natural and renewable resources, driving a reliable and sustainable supply. Advancing diversification of sources, climate resilience, and regional integration will ensure equitable and stable access to energy.
Water Security
Water security in the Americas is key to human well-being, development, and sustainability, given the region’s wealth of water resources. Ensuring it requires efficient management, watershed protection, and regional cooperation for the shared and responsible use of water.
AGENDA
December 2
December 3
December 2
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Registration |
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Opening Ceremony Welcoming Remarks:
Special Remarks;
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| 10:00 – 10:30 | Meta 2036 of the Dominican Republic This session aims to present the youth development plan of the Dominican Republic for 2036, in a public-private space in matters of Education, Agro-industry, Tourism, and Manufacturing. Likewise, show the methodology so that it benefits more people. Three young beneficiaries of Meta 2036 will accompany the Vice-President of the Dominican Republic in the presentation of each pillar of Meta 2036. Moderator: TBC Keynote Speaker:
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| 10:30 – 11:30 | Dialogue with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, H.E. Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin: “Youth: Partners for Building a Secure, Sustainable and Shared-Prosperity Hemisphere” The dialogue will allow us to emphasize the relevance of the 10th Summit of the Americas and the connection with the priority on youth issues within the inter-American agenda promoted by the Organization of American States (OAS). Moderator: Valerie Lorena, Executive Director, Young Americas Business Trust |
| 11:30 – 12:15 | XX Anniversary of the Young Americas Forum: Reflections, Lessons Learned, and Call to Action The session will focus on showcasing the impact of youth participation throughout the Summits of the Americas process through the Young Americas Forum. It will highlight the lessons learned, the call to action, and the strategic vision of the Young Americas Forum. |
| 12:15 – 12:30 | Official Photograph of the VII Young Americas Forum |
| 12:30 – 13:00 | Inauguration of the Talent and Innovation Expo of the Americas
The Expo will bring together the best solutions and actions developed by young people in response to the priority themes of the X Summit of the Americas. Competencies Program for Talent and Innovation of the Americas (TIC Americas):
National Programs for Youth Entrepreneurship:
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| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Leadership Labs Diploma Ceremony and Recognition of Youth Participants from the Leadership Labs Program |
| 14:30 – 17:30 | Thematic Sessions and Working Groups Specialists will be in charge of an introductory presentation on the theme of each Working Group, providing information that serves as a basis and as evidence to sustain the debate. Next, youth delegates will discuss the draft Declaration of Youth Commitment of the X Summit of the Americas, which is the result of the consultation process and other components of the Youth Forum of the Americas. The Working Groups will follow the methodology established for each Hemispheric Forum, with a moderator and international specialists in the topics of discussion. Each working group will choose the spokespersons who will integrate the thematic panels in the rest of the agenda.
Moderation: Germany’s Government
Moderation: IICA’s representative
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| 17:30 – 18:30 | Adoption of the Youth Declaration of the X Summit of the Americas Meeting in plenary, youth spokespersons from the thematic working groups will present the results of the discussion that will become the final document of the Declaration of Youth of the X Summit of the Americas. A Style and Editing Committee will be established from that moment on, with the aim of collecting the final documents by thematic issues and consolidating them in a single document and with the corresponding format, to be officially delivered to the Heads of State and Hemispheric Leaders.
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| 18:30 – 21:00 | Reception and Cultural Event |
December 3
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Youth Leaders Activation |
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Youth, Citizen Security and Human Welfare The levels of citizen and community security directly impact the economic and social development of our hemisphere, especially youth and the human development of their communities. Given this reality, the session is focused on discussing initiatives and collective actions to contribute to safer environments that allow the integral development of young people through economic opportunities and the necessary training to improve their living conditions. Opening Remarks:
Panel: Session moderated by an international expert and panel composed of young people and representatives of social actors and experts who will present approaches and solutions to the context of citizen security through a focus on the following topics:
Closing Remarks:
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| 10:00 – 11:00 | Youth at the Center of Transformation: Innovation for Food Security and Rural Development The session will address the youth actions that are being developed and the role of multilateral cooperation to build more resilient, secure and sustainable agri-food systems. Opening Remarks:
Panel: Youth at the Center of Transformation: Innovation for Food Security and Rural Development Session moderated by an international expert and a panel composed of young people and representatives of social actors and experts. Panelists will share a broad vision on the positive impact of emerging solutions that are redefining agri-food systems with a particular focus on regenerative agriculture, artificial intelligence, the circular economy and bioplastics, among other priorities to strengthen food trade. (FAO, OEA, IICA, GEF, 2 Jóvenes)
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| 11:00 – 12:00 | Presentation of the Youth Commitment Declaration to Presidents and Heads of State – Punta Cana 2025 Young people, as social actors, will present to the Heads of State and leaders of the hemisphere the Declaration of Youth, which is the result of the consultative process and dialogue. H.E. Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic*
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| 12:00 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 – 14:45 | Innovation and Energy Transition: Youth Accelerating Sustainable and Resilient Economies for a Responsible Future The session aims to discuss initiatives to diversify energy sources and ensure equitable access to basic services, integrating innovative sustainable solutions that complement the efforts being promoted at the regional and hemispheric levels as a highly relevant issue in the development agenda.. Opening Words:
Panel: Innovation and Energy Transition: Accelerating Sustainable and Resilient Economies for a Responsible Future Session moderated by an international expert and a panel composed of young people and representatives of social actors and experts on the topics listed below. (CAF, Banreservas, Private Sector, 2 Young People)
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| 14:45 – 15:30 | Water, Inclusion, and Economic Development: Sustainable and Responsible Youth The session will address the importance of ensuring water security to promote the economic and social development of populations in watersheds, mobilizing the full and equal participation of communities, promoting economic activities and investment to reduce the funding gap in water resources management. Opening Words:
Panel: Water, Inclusion, and Economic Development Session moderated by an international expert and panel composed of young people and representatives of social actors experts in the topics listed below.
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| 15:35 – 16-30 | Digital Transformation as a Driver for Youth Development Digital transformation is redefining the way young people learn, innovate, and engage in their communities. This panel will explore how technological innovation can become a key driver for the holistic development of youth across the Americas. Opening Remarks:
Panel: Youth 4.0: Digital Innovation for Development Digital transformation is driving new forms of learning, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement among young people across the Americas. Through the exchange of experiences and best practices, this panel will highlight the role of digital innovation as a catalyst for youth development and the future of work in the region.
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| 16:30 – 17:15 | Panel with High-Level Youth Authorities
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| 17:15 – 18:15 | Closing Ceremony and Awards of the VII Young Americas Forum Final words from leaders and government representatives and social actors to youth, establishing alliances and next steps to build a safe, sustainable and shared prosperity hemisphere.
Special announcements and final words |
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
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