MYCP at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Impact Report
MYCP's engagement at HLPF focused on ensuring that migration, youth participation and the lived experiences of young migrants and refugees were meaningfully reflected in discussions on sustainable development. MYCP used the Forum to advocate for inclusive and migrant-responsive approaches to SDG implementation, while strengthening partnerships and creating opportunities for youth-led policy engagement.
HLPF 2026 at a glance
MYCP at the High-Level
Political Forum
What is HLPF?
The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the UN’s central platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bringing together governments, UN entities, civil society, youth and other stakeholders to assess progress and accelerate implementation.
The 2026 HLPF, held in New York from 7–15 July, focused on advancing transformative and coordinated action for the 2030 Agenda. The Forum included in-depth reviews of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) being of particular relevance to MYCP, alongside broader discussions on progress towards the SDGs and implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
On MYCP
The Migration Youth & Children Platform (MYCP) is a global youth-led platform ensuring that the voices and priorities of young migrants, refugees and displaced young people are reflected in global policy and decision-making. As the migration constituency of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY), MYCP brings together young people and youth-led and youth-serving organizations to advocate for inclusive policies and systems that uphold the rights and dignity of young people on the move.
Through youth consultations, policy advocacy, capacity-building and partnerships, MYCP works to connect young people’s lived experiences with global policy processes across priorities including health, education, climate mobility, trafficking and labour exploitation, and gender equality.
MYCP delegates
Nour Hassan, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns
Luísa Santi, Member of the Youth Committee on Migration and Displacement Data
MYCP’s mission at HLPF
MYCP's engagement at HLPF focused on ensuring that migration, youth participation and the lived experiences of young migrants and refugees were meaningfully reflected in discussions on sustainable development. MYCP used the Forum to advocate for inclusive and migrant-responsive approaches to SDG implementation, while strengthening partnerships and creating opportunities for youth-led policy engagement.
Highlights
MYCP delegates contributed to panels, official sessions, youth-led events and bilateral engagements, bringing migration and youth perspectives into broader discussions on sustainable development.
Migration and sustainable development: Advocated for the meaningful inclusion of young migrants and refugees across the 2030 Agenda, including discussions on Beyond GDP and Beyond 2030.
Inclusive cities and climate mobility: Highlighted the need to include young migrants in localization and urban planning, including through stronger integration of climate mobility into sustainable city planning.
Youth-led SDG implementation: Contributed to discussions on SDGs 8 and 16, emphasizing meaningful youth participation, decent work and protections for young migrants in the digital and AI-driven economy.
Youth, Peace and Security: Brought attention to the experiences and priorities of migrant and displaced youth within the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.
Climate justice and resilience: Advocated for people-centred and inclusive climate action that addresses existing inequalities and includes young people affected by climate-related mobility.
Education and social cohesion: Highlighted the experiences of migrant and refugee youth whose education pathways are shaped by mobility and displacement, emphasizing the need for more inclusive education systems.
Partnerships and collaboration: Strengthened engagement with UN entities, Member States, youth networks and civil society, creating opportunities for continued collaboration on migration, youth participation and sustainable development.
Takeaways and Way Forward
HLPF 2026 reinforced the importance of ensuring that young migrants, refugees and displaced young people are meaningfully included in sustainable development efforts—not only as beneficiaries, but as contributors and decision-makers.
Through the Forum, MYCP underscored several priorities for continued engagement:
Embed migration across SDG implementation: Migration and displacement should be reflected across sustainable development policies, particularly in relation to cities, employment, climate mobility and access to services.
Move from consultation to meaningful participation: Young people should have sustained opportunities to influence policy and decision-making, with clear pathways for their contributions to translate into action.
Recognize young migrants and refugees as agents of change: Their lived experiences, expertise and leadership should inform policies and solutions affecting their communities.
Build stronger pathways from global dialogue to action: Continued collaboration with Member States, UN entities, civil society and youth networks will be essential to translating commitments into concrete progress.
Ensure no one is left behind: Migrants and displaced people must be able to fully participate in and benefit from development efforts to achieve truly inclusive sustainable development.
Moving forward, MYCP will build on the relationships, visibility and policy opportunities generated at HLPF to strengthen youth-led advocacy and ensure that young migrants and refugees have a meaningful role in shaping the policies and solutions that affect their lives.
For further enquiries please contact: migrationgfp@unmgcy.org
