The GYEL exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and transformative change championed by the United Nations for over 75 years. Rooted in the mission of fostering leadership among global youth, GYEL operates within the intricate ecosystem of the United Nations system, engaging intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and entities with official consultative status under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Through this multilateral and multistakeholder approach, GYEL cultivates the next generation of leaders prepared to address the complexities of an interconnected world, ensuring their voices are at the forefront of global progress.

Established a decade ago, the GYEL initiative aligns seamlessly with the founding principles of the United Nations, which emerged in 1945 as a beacon of hope and unity following the devastation of World War II. With a commitment to international peace, human dignity, equality, and justice, the UN has consistently championed the need for inclusive development. The GYEL program continues this legacy by empowering young people to actively shape solutions to some of the world's most urgent challenges, including health, education, human rights, and innovation. Through dynamic global partnerships, GYEL ensures that youth are not only beneficiaries of progress but also architects of meaningful, sustainable change.

Central to the program's mission is its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a transformative global framework adopted by all 193 United Nations member states in 2015. The SDGs provide a blueprint for tackling the planet's most pressing challenges by 2030, from eradicating poverty and hunger to fostering gender equality, ensuring quality education, and combating climate change.