Derin Ege Sezgin

Founder and Chair of SDG Youth Connect, a youth-led non-profit organisation that brings together 1,000 people from more than 60 countries to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through awareness, advocacy and community work. The work combines youth participation in climate policy, responsible approaches to artificial intelligence, and practical, innovative solutions. The speaker was the youngest participant at the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on AI Governance, and has led initiatives such as the SDG Design Challenge and the Global AI Youth Survey.

The work consistently supports young people in developing solutions and having a voice in the decisions that will shape their future. The speaker has given more than 10 speeches at United Nations forums, including the UN General Assembly, AI for Good, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the ECOSOC Youth Forum. At COP31, SDG Youth Connect will be represented with a focus on turning young people’s ideas into concrete action that advances the climate-related Sustainable Development Goals.