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JCI Global Youth Summit Convenes Young Leaders From 53 Countries at the United Nations

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2026 Global Youth Summit Young Leaders Take the Global Stage in New York

Junior Chamber International brought more than 200 young leaders from 53 countries and territories to New York City for the inaugural JCI Global Youth Summit, held from July 29 to 31, 2026. The Summit closed with a high-level plenary session at United Nations Headquarters and the adoption of a Youth Action Resolution to guide youth-led action on the Sustainable Development Goals through 2030.

Held at Japan Society and the United Nations, the three-day Summit featured nine main sessions, more than 30 speakers, and representatives from over 20 partner organizations. It was designed as a platform where young people could develop leadership skills, practice diplomacy, and engage directly with the institutions shaping global decisions.

Youth in Direct Dialogue With Global Leaders

Across the program, delegates moved from skills-building into direct dialogue with senior international figures. A Global Leadership Fireside Chat convened diplomatic and institutional voices, including the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations and Vice-President of ECOSOC, the Director of the Civil Society Division at UN Women, and the Vice-Chairperson of the World Scout Committee.

The Summit reinforced JCI’s role as a global platform connecting young leaders with international institutions and strategic partners. It was co-organized with the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations and built in collaboration with partners including UN Women, UNICEF, the United Nations Foundation, RELX, AIESEC, the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, the World Scout Bureau, and the International Chamber of Commerce.

A Resolution That Reaches 100+ Countries

The Summit’s central outcome was the Youth Action Resolution 2026–2030, developed by delegates and formally adopted at the closing plenary by 2026 JCI President Alejandra Castillo.

The Resolution sets out nine commitments on equitable access to opportunity, including a call for globally adaptable youth education programs, investment in SDG-related community projects through public-private partnerships, and an invitation to United Nations Member States to adopt the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Duties for Leaders.

Rather than concluding in New York, the Resolution now moves to JCI National Organizations in more than 100 countries, where its commitments are intended to become measurable local action through 2030.

The inaugural Global Youth Summit demonstrated a conviction at the heart of JCI’s mission: that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but active contributors to global progress today.

Youth Action Resolution presented at the 2026 Global Youth Summit plenary session

Read the Youth Action Resolution 2026–2030 — the full framework of commitments developed and adopted by the delegates: jci.cc/events/global-youth-summit/2026-recap/

Learn more about the Global Youth Summit.

Terms and Conditions

JCI Global Youth Summit 2026

By completing your registration for the JCI Global Youth Summit 2026 (“the Summit”), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the following Terms and Conditions.

Code of Conduct Compliance

Participants are expected to comply with the JCI Event Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy at all times and contribute to a safe, respectful, inclusive, and professional environment for all participants, speakers, organizers, and collaborating institutions.

Personal Data and Media Consent

Participants consent to the collection, processing, and use of personal information for Summit-related administrative and operational purposes, including registration, communications, logistical coordination, participant management, and post-event follow-up.

Participants also grant JCI permission to use photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, or other media captured during the Summit for educational, informational, archival, communications, and reporting purposes related to the activities and mission of JCI and the Summit.

Personal data will be processed in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws.

Participation and Access

Participation in certain sessions, including those held at the United Nations Headquarters and partner venues, may be subject to additional security clearance, identification requirements, and capacity limitations.

Refund Policy

Refunds will be processed in accordance with the following structure:

  • 75% refund if requested on or before May 30, 2026 (60 days before the event start date)

  • 50% refund if requested on or before June 29, 2026 (30 days before the event start date)

  • 0% refund if requested after June 29, 2026

Exceptions

  • A 75% refund may be granted in cases of documented serious illness or the death of an immediate family member.

All refund requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected] and include appropriate supporting documentation.

Refunds will be processed within 30 business days using the original payment method.

Visa Policy

Participants requiring a visa to attend the 2026 JCI Global Youth Summit are responsible for initiating their visa application process in a timely manner and ensuring that all required documentation is submitted to the relevant authorities.

JCI World Headquarters will provide an official invitation letter upon request for registered and fully paid participants. Please note that this letter is issued solely to support the visa application process and does not guarantee visa approval.

In the event that a participant is unable to obtain a visa, the following conditions will apply:

  • A 50% refund of the registration fee may be granted.
  • JCI World Headquarters must be notified in writing no later than June 17, 2026.
  • The refund request must include official documentation of the visa rejection, such as a letter or formal notification issued by the relevant embassy or consulate.
  • Requests submitted after June 29, 2026, or without valid supporting documentation, will not be eligible for any refund.

Please note:

  • Administrative fees, bank charges, and currency exchange differences may be deducted from the refunded amount.
  • Delays in visa application submission, incomplete documentation, or failure to attend visa appointments will not be considered valid grounds for a refund.
  • JCI is not responsible for any costs incurred related to visa applications, travel arrangements, or accommodation bookings.
  • Approved refunds will be processed within 30 business days and issued using the original payment method.

Participant Responsibility

Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel, accommodation, insurance, transportation, and personal expenses unless otherwise expressly stated by the organizers.

Health and Insurance

Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain appropriate travel and health insurance coverage for the duration of their participation in the Summit.

JCI shall not be responsible for medical expenses, travel disruptions, or personal losses incurred during participation in the Summit.

Behavioral Expectations

Participants are expected to maintain respectful and professional conduct throughout the Summit.

Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, disruptive conduct, or behavior inconsistent with the JCI Code of Conduct may result in removal from participation and potential restriction from future JCI activities.

Complaint and Incident Reporting

Participants acknowledge awareness of the procedures available for reporting incidents, concerns, or violations of the JCI Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy.

All reports will be handled with appropriate confidentiality and seriousness.

Third-Party Services and Venues

Certain Summit activities may take place at external venues or involve services provided by third parties, including transportation, accommodation providers, or event facilities.

Such services remain subject to the operational policies and responsibility of the respective third-party providers.

Assumption of Risk

Participants acknowledge that participation in an international event may involve certain inherent risks, including travel disruptions, health-related risks, accidents, security measures, or changes in governmental regulations or entry requirements.

By participating in the Summit, participants voluntarily assume such risks associated with travel and attendance.

Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by applicable law, JCI and collaborating organizations shall not be responsible for personal injury, illness, delay, loss, theft, damage, or other unforeseen circumstances arising from participation in or travel related to the Summit, except where caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Force Majeure

JCI reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel the Summit due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, public health emergencies, government restrictions, labor disruptions, security incidents, or other force majeure events.

Acceptance

By completing your registration, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions for participation in the JCI Global Youth Summit 2026.

JCI Global Youth Summit Convenes Young Leaders From 53 Countries at the United Nations

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JCI Global Youth Summit Convenes Young Leaders From 53 Countries at the United Nations