From 23 to 27 November, AIESEC actively participated in the 21st General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO GC.21), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Developed in parallel with the Global Industry Summit, this global gathering brought together world leaders, government representatives, private sector actors, multilateral organizations and youth-led movements around a shared goal: rethinking the future of industrial development through a sustainable, inclusive and people-centred lens.

For AIESEC, being part of this space meant far more than attending an international conference. It represented a strategic opportunity to position the voice of young people within high-level conversations on industrial development, innovation, employability and leadership, while reaffirming our role as a youth-led organization committed to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Throughout the event, AIESEC engaged in a series of dialogue and co-creation spaces that demonstrated how young people can actively contribute to shaping solutions to today’s global challenges. From the Youth Parliament, where young leaders exchanged perspectives on entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development and decent work, to the NextGen Mission Lab, focused on experimentation and the design of youth-led solutions, AIESEC’s participation highlighted the value of integrating youth perspectives into long-term, impact-driven transformation processes. These experiences were further enriched through strategic engagement spaces such as the Youth-led Roundtable for Industry, enabling direct dialogue between young leaders, private sector representatives and international organizations.

In parallel, AIESEC took part in high-level networking and partnership-building initiatives, including the Youth Reception co-organized with UNIDO and other partners. This space fostered meaningful connections between young people, companies and decision-makers, opening opportunities for collaboration and reinforcing the importance of cross-sector partnerships in advancing inclusive development.

During the conference, AIESEC also delivered its official statement to the United Nations, reaffirming its commitment to meaningful youth participation, responsible leadership development and the creation of opportunities that enable young people to influence global governance processes. This intervention further consolidated AIESEC’s presence as a relevant youth actor within multilateral spaces.

The experience at UNIDO GC.21 reaffirmed a core belief: sustainable development cannot be achieved without the active involvement of young people. AIESEC will continue to engage in global platforms where youth are not only heard, but empowered to co-create, lead and implement initiatives with real impact. More than presence, our participation at GC.21 represented influence, collaboration and a shared vision of a future where industry and youth move forward together toward more inclusive and sustainable development.