Global Summit on Sustainable Futures for Women and Youth
Date 04.13.2025
GSWY 2025 Becomes the First Global Platform to Activate the UN Pact for the Future
AVCILAR, ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE — April 13, 2025 — The Global Summit on Sustainable Futures for Women and Youth (GSWY 2025) made history this past week in Avcılar, Türkiye, by becoming the first international platform to formally act on and contribute amendments to the United Nations’ Pact for the Future. Held from April 7 to 11, 2025, and co-hosted by the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR) and the Municipality of Avcılar, the summit brought together more than 250 delegates from over 60 countries and four continents.
Chosen for its accessibility as an international hub and its recognition as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Model City, Avcılar was the ideal host city. Known for its commitment to implementing the SDGs at the local level, the municipality served as a living example of how global goals can drive community transformation.
Throughout the summit, a vibrant tapestry of voices—including heads of government, UN leaders, academics, civil society representatives, youth leaders, and grassroots changemakers—converged to align local actions with global frameworks. Distinguished speakers included Her Excellency Dr. Isabelle Vladoiu, Founder of USIDHR; USIDHR President Manuel Oancia; UN-Habitat Executive Director H.E. Anacláudia Rossbach; Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Advisor Sevil Kazaz; DRC Human Rights Commissioner H.E. Didier Kimbumbu Dido; Romanian Government Deputy Director Alexandra Dobre; UNA Chicago President Ashley Goeken; Global Peace Chain CEO Kamran Zafar; Bakırköy Mayor Dr. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu; Cristina Herea of the D.A.R. Association; Jeannette Matta of the Miel y Canela Foundation; Judith DuBose of JAD Associates; Ukrainian professor Oksana Chernysh; and International Defenders Council representative Olivia Cantu.
The summit launched with powerful keynotes and thematic panels on topics such as innovation and partnerships for the SDGs, women’s leadership, and youth empowerment. Each session was designed not just to inform but to inspire and engage—featuring interactive formats like live Q&A, real-time polling, and collaborative solution mapping.
A defining feature of the summit came on Day Two during the Pact for the Future Roundtable, where global delegates worked in focused groups to review and expand upon the United Nations’ evolving framework. The result: a collective proposal of amendments that are now being submitted to the UN leadership in New York. These key proposals include:
Recognizing human trafficking and child trafficking as critical international peace and security threats;
Establishing a global taskforce on mental health and disaster preparedness, with a focus on vulnerable populations and community resilience;
Elevating the global urgency to combat gender-based violence and femicide, with stronger legal harmonization and institutional accountability across nations.
These amendments reflect the summit’s core belief that the future must be shaped by those most affected and most ready to lead—especially women and youth.
The summit’s emotional high point came during a presentation from the Democratic Republic of Congo delegation, who braved significant travel challenges to reach Türkiye. In a heartfelt ceremony, H.E. Didier Kimbumbu Dido honored Dr. Isabelle Vladoiu as a Messenger of Peace, presenting her with a traditional hornblower statue—symbolizing a trusted voice who carries forward the messages of the people.
Throughout the week, participants also attended hands-on training sessions on funding strategies for SDG initiatives, legislative advocacy, gender equity, sustainable urban planning, and localizing the goals in their communities. Upon completion of the summit, all delegates were formally recognized as Certified Sustainability Advocates, prepared to implement what they learned within their organizations, governments, and networks.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Vladoiu captured the spirit of the week, stating: “GSWY 2025 is more than a summit—it’s a movement. We came together from across the world, we listened, we collaborated, and we acted. This is what change looks like.”
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GSWY 2025 is more than a summit—it’s a movement. We came together from across the world, we listened, we collaborated, and we acted. This is what change looks like.
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-Dr. Isabelle Vladoiu, USIDHR Founder
Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara echoed that message with a call for solidarity: “Let us show the world that we can live together in fraternal unity, despite all our differences. This summit proved it is possible.”
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Let us show the world that we can live together in fraternal unity, despite all our differences. This summit proved it is possible.”
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-Utku Caner Çaykara, Mayor of Avcılar
As the summit concluded in Avcılar, it left behind not just memories and photos, but a wave of global momentum—an ever-growing network of leaders ready to carry forward the pact for people, for planet, and for peace.
For more information about the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR), please visit https://learn.usidhr.org
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Photos from the event
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