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Members of the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) officially commenced their term by joining a kick-off meeting in Tbilisi on September 2, which brought together 15 young leaders from across the country.Initiated by UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq as sounding board of the UN Country Team,  the group is  expected to provide input on policies, programs, and strategies affecting youth, ensuring that the voices of the young people are integrated into the planning, implementation, and monitoring of UN programs and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030.During this first meeting, members of the YAG had the opportunity to meet one another, exchange ideas, and begin building a joint strategy for their future work.“Young people are essential allies in shaping the UN’s work today for the benefit of Georgian people. Through meaningful participation and ongoing engagement, we are ensuring that young people’s voices, ideas and lived experiences help shape priorities and drive real, sustainable change through the implementation of the Georgia’s 2026–2030 Cooperation Framework, which will ultimately impact the people of Georgia’s lives,” said UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq during the launch event.The discussion focused on defining realistic opportunities for youth engagement, and identified priority areas for the group’s work, including activities and policies group would jointly tackle.Members of the group emphasised that their goal during their mandate is to  represent the needs and perspectives of young people in Georgia and translate them into concrete and actionable recommendations for the UN.“The creation of this group is important for young people to listen to one another, exchange views and ideas, and engage constructively for the country’s future,’ said Rezi Dgebuadze, a member of the YAG and youth activist, a 3rd-grade student at Free University from Tbilisi.Also speaking, the Youth leader from Pankisi Gorge, Akhmeta region, Giorgi Mokverashvili, welcomed the decision to create a group, noting that it would build stronger relationships among youth groups across the country. “A very important platform was created for young people. In this group there are young people not only  from the capital, but also from the regions.”“I think the creation of this group is important for our country, because we, young people, can make real change for the better,” said Salome Chakhaia, a youth leasder from Zugdidi, Samegrelo region.Members of the Youth Advisory Group were selected through a nationwide competitive application process, ensuring representation from various demographics, interests and experiences.These passionate individuals bring a wealth of knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm to the table, embodying the diversity and dynamism of the youth population in Georgia.In the coming period, Group members will continue working on the priority topics defined during this meeting through planned follow-up sessions, where progress will be reviewed and next steps agreed.The YAG is also intended to move beyond one-off consultations towards a more systematic, inclusive and sustained model of youth engagement for co-creation. It seeks to create a space for constructive dialogue between young people and the UN, while strengthening the responsiveness and relevance of the UN’s support to the people of Georgia.The initiative is also closely aligned with Georgia’s ongoing efforts to develop a new National Youth Strategy. In this regard, the YAG can contribute to a broader national conversation on youth participation, inclusion and empowerment, while providing an important channel for young people to engage with the national development agenda.