IRIS at the 2026 Spring Forum — Palais des Nations, Geneva

On 1 April 2026, IRIS Sustainable Development had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Spring Forum at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, organised under the leadership of the International Patriotic Pact Organization (IPPO). Held in one of the most symbolic venues of multilateral cooperation, the Forum brought together a diverse community of stakeholders — civil-society organisations, institutional representatives, youth advocates and development practitioners — for a wide-ranging exchange on global development, international cooperation and the evolving dynamics shaping today’s world.

A space for dialogue

The Forum was conceived as a meeting point for different voices and perspectives. Across its sessions, participants examined how states, organisations and communities can respond together to shared challenges at a moment of rapid global change — from sustainable development and social inclusion to the governance of new and emerging technologies. Rather than treating these issues in isolation, the discussions consistently returned to the connections between them: economic wellbeing, environmental sustainability and social justice as parts of a single, interdependent agenda.

A recurring theme throughout the day was the importance of dialogue and mutual respect as the foundation for durable cooperation. Speakers underlined that lasting progress depends less on imposing single solutions than on the willingness to listen, to understand different realities, and to build partnerships across borders, sectors and generations. In an international climate marked by uncertainty, participants reaffirmed that open, respectful exchange remains one of the most valuable instruments the global community has.

Why it matters for IRIS

For IRIS Sustainable Development, which holds United Nations ECOSOC Special Consultative Status, the Spring Forum was an opportunity to connect grassroots experience with high-level policy conversations. Much of our work takes place at the community level — with young people, women, adults and VET learners across Europe and beyond — and forums such as this one allow those realities to inform discussions that are too often held at a distance from the people they affect.

Our participation reflects a conviction at the heart of the organisation: that sustainable development, equality and the ethical use of technology are not separate causes but shared responsibilities, and that the voices of local communities and young people belong in the rooms where the future is debated. Carrying that perspective into international settings — in Geneva and at UN Headquarters in New York — is a core part of how IRIS bridges local action and global policy.

Looking ahead

We are grateful to the International Patriotic Pact Organization and to all the participants for a constructive and forward-looking exchange. Conversations like the 2026 Spring Forum reinforce our commitment to active, respectful international cooperation, and to ensuring that the principles of dialogue, inclusion and sustainability continue to guide global development. IRIS looks forward to building on these connections and to contributing to the many important discussions still to come.