Celebrating International Youth Day 2026

On International Youth Day, we celebrate the energy, creativity and leadership of young people around the world. This year's theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations", reminds us that while young people live in different circumstances, they share common hopes for good health, dignity, opportunity and a sustainable future.

Yet for millions of young people, preventable and treatable diseases continue to stand in the way of these aspirations. HIV, tuberculosis (TB), viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to affect the health, well-being and futures of millions of adolescents and young people. Despite important progress, preventable infections, illness and deaths persist, and access to prevention, testing, treatment and care remains unequal.

These inequities are particularly acute for young people from key and vulnerable populations - including young men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and people who use drugs - as well as young people affected by poverty, displacement and other forms of marginalization. Stigma and discrimination, gender inequality, violence, poverty and restrictive social and legal environments can further limit access to youth-responsive prevention, testing, treatment and care.

Yet young people are not only affected by these challenges; they are helping to solve them.

Through WHO's 1+1 Initiative, more than 90 000 young people have joined the global effort to end TB by raising awareness, challenging stigma and mobilizing communities for stronger action. What began as a movement to mobilize young people around TB has become a powerful demonstration of what is possible when young people are given the opportunity, knowledge and platforms to lead. Building on this momentum, WHO is expanding the 1+1 Initiative across HIV, TB, viral hepatitis and STIs, creating a broader platform to amplify young people's voices and strengthen their leadership across these interconnected disease areas.

On International Youth Day, WHO calls on young people everywhere to turn common aspirations into collective action.

• Raise awareness. Start conversations about HIV, TB, viral hepatitis and STIs in your schools, universities, workplaces, communities and networks.
• Stay informed and share trusted information. Use WHO's evidence and resources on HIV, TB, hepatitis and STIs to learn about prevention, testing, treatment and care, and help counter misinformation.
• Challenge stigma and discrimination. Support everyone's right to respectful, confidential and people-centred health services.
• Use your voice and leadership. Help shape the policies, programmes and services that affect your health, and ensure that young people-especially those most affected-have a meaningful role in decision-making. Bring youth perspectives into decision-making and help ensure that the voices of those most affected are heard.

Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow. They are partners and leaders in the global health response today. Their voices, innovative ideas and leadership are essential to ending HIV, TB, viral hepatitis and STIs and building a healthier, and more equitable future for all.