Speakers Urge Trusted Data and Responsible AI for Verifiable ESG Delivery

U.N. Youth Forum side event examines how to turn passion into evidence and initiatives into scalable results

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:53am

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A highly detailed, three-dimensional illustration of a complex network of interconnected digital hardware components, including servers, cables, circuit boards, and data storage devices, all illuminated by vibrant neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the trusted, responsible, and verifiable digital systems needed to power scalable sustainable development solutions.Glowing digital infrastructure powers the next generation of youth-led sustainable development solutions.NYC Today

Speakers at a U.N. Economic and Social Council Youth Forum side event called for trusted data, responsible artificial intelligence, and auditable delivery systems to help young people turn ideas into scalable solutions for sustainable development. Experts from the U.N., WHO, and Stanford discussed how governance in the digital era can move from compliance rhetoric to practical execution frameworks, with relevance to the U.N.'s 2026 SDG review.

Why it matters

As digital technology becomes an increasingly important force shaping trust, fairness, and development quality, the speakers argued that youth-led projects must evolve from one-off initiatives into replicable public-governance models with verifiable data, transparent processes, and scalable outcomes.

The details

The side event, co-organized by the Tianjin Eco-city Friend of Green Eco-Culture Promotion Association and the Grouphorse ESG Global Governance Talent Industrial College, featured experts and youth representatives discussing how to turn passion into evidence and initiatives into results. Speakers emphasized the need for trusted data as a new development foundation, responsible AI frameworks, and long-term co-creation mechanisms linking universities, technology platforms, and civil society.

  • The 2026 U.N. Economic and Social Council Youth Forum took place in April 2026.
  • The side event was held as part of the 2026 U.N. Youth Forum.

The players

Mario Baez

Former chief of the Accountability Service at the United Nations Secretariat from January 2019 to May 2024.

Barry Katz

Stanford professor and IDEO fellow.

Margaret Harris

Former spokesperson for the World Health Organization.

Xing Tang

Executive dean of the Grouphorse ESG Global Governance Talent Industrial College and founder of Grouphorse Group.

Yujie Chen

U.N. project design consultant.

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What they’re saying

“Digital technology is no longer merely a tool for efficiency but an increasingly important force shaping trust, fairness and the quality of development.”

— Xing Tang, Executive dean of the Grouphorse ESG Global Governance Talent Industrial College and founder of Grouphorse Group

“Trusted data should be treated as a new development foundation and AI must operate within responsible governance frameworks, allowing youth-led projects to become replicable public-governance models rather than one-off initiatives.”

— Mario Baez, Former chief of the Accountability Service at the United Nations Secretariat

“Effective design must be rooted in field realities, repeated testing and cultural understanding, and ultimately must leave the classroom and enter the world as a verifiable and repeatable delivery system.”

— Barry Katz, Stanford professor and IDEO fellow

“Evidence only leads to action when communication, community understanding and usable services form a closed loop.”

— Margaret Harris, Former WHO spokesperson

What’s next

The next step is to turn the side event from a one-time exchange into a sustainable delivery network linking universities, technology platforms and nongovernmental organizations.

The takeaway

In the AI era, youth participation in global governance depends on building auditable evidence chains, reproducible delivery paths and cross-sector partnerships that can scale innovative solutions for sustainable development.