Lord Mayor Announces 2023 One Young World Summit

More than 2,000 young people from over 190 countries across the world are expected to visit Belfast in October 2023 for the One Young World Summit, Lord Mayor Councillor Tina Black has announced.

A delegation from Belfast will attend a special handover ceremony from current host city Manchester this week.

Looking forward to October 2023, Lord Mayor Councillor Tina Black said: "In Belfast we are so proud of our exceptional young leaders and the talent and potential that they possess.

"The opportunity for our young people to work and connect with likeminded individuals from countries across the world is an experience they will never forget as they engage in important conversations that tackle very real and relevant local and global issues."

One Young World's mission is to create a better world, with more responsible and more effective leadership. This is achieved by identifying, promoting, and connecting the world's most impactful young leaders, from every country and sector, working to accelerate social impact.

At next year's summit the young delegates will also be joined by a range of political, business, and humanitarian leaders.

Councillor Black added: "This is a unique chance to further promote our city on the world-wide stage- we're a city renowned for our resilience and optimism and hosting the One Young World Summit in October 2023 is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the city's history, youthful energy and future potential.

"I look forward to welcoming thousands of young people, delegates and their voices from right across the world to Belfast and I hope they take both positive and long-lasting memories of our city home."

Minister for the Economy Gordon Lyons said: "With a young, highly educated workforce, Northern Ireland is an ideal choice for the One Young World Summit. I am proud that Belfast has been chosen as host city in 2023 and pleased that my Department has committed significant support to the event. The Summit will take place in multiple locations across Belfast and Northern Ireland, creating opportunities for us to promote our young people and showcase the destination.

"The One Young World Summit will not only have an immediate economic impact, but also a wider societal benefit through investment in the leadership skills of our own young people that will allow Northern Ireland to continue to move forward as an innovative, inclusive, and progressive place to meet, visit, do business, study and live."

One Young World Belfast 2023 will be delivered and matched-funded by a range of private and public sector partners and sponsors – including Belfast City Council, Conference Partners International, Connected Citizens, Department for the Economy, Department of Finance, Education Authority, Tourism Northern Ireland, Visit Belfast and ICC Belfast.

The One Young World Belfast 2023 strategy is led by an Advisory Board and Organising Committee of business leaders from across a range of sectors – co-chaired by Dr Howard Hastings OBE, Managing Director of the Hastings Hotels Group and Conor Houston, Director of Houston Solutions and Founder of Connected Citizens.