One Young World 2023 Launch

Event Overview

Belfast was officially announced as the Host City of the One Young World Summit 2023, an event that is second only to the Olympic Games in terms of the number of countries represented. 

Influential political, business and humanitarian leaders gathered virtually in ICC Belfast's Hybrid Studio. One Young World Counsellor Sir Bob Geldoff addressed the ‘new and very different perspective’ the city can offer this global summit.

I love the fact that One Young World 2023 is in Belfast, because there’s so much that people in this city can talk about to these younger people: about processes that made two completely different cultures and societies function together; about discovering there is another way of doing things; that there is a future and that talking through subjects actually works.

Sir Bob Geldof, One Young World Counsellor

One Young World described the 2023 Summit in Belfast as an opportunity to celebrate the city’s youthful dynamism, talent and history, as well as create opportunities for its young people who are driving positive, peaceful and impactful change in the years to come.

'Resilient City - Global Ambition' was the launch theme. An incredible mix of cultural performances by local artists blended with powerful messages from business and political leaders. ICC Belfast's sister venue, Ulster Hall, played host to the Ajendance Youth Dance Company among others, while the Hybrid Studio acted as the main hub, hosting live and virtual guests such as First Minister, Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill and One Young World Managing Director, Ella Robertson. 

ICC Belfast's in-house team of technical production specialists worked collaboratively with Conference Partners International, the Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) appointed to oversee the launch. This created an immersive and engaging experience that gave the global audience an authentic experience of Belfast in a way that was befitting of this game-changing event. Video content was projection mapped onto the exterior of ICC Belfast and custom motion graphics framed the backdrop of our LED wall. The venue's 380mbps of uncontested bandwidth allowed for seamless streaming, giving delegates a sense of the excitement to come at the live event in 2023. 

For Belfast as the Host City, the legacy of One Young World 2023 will extend far beyond the immediate economic impact.

Conor Houston, One Young World Ambassador

Located right in the heart of the city centre, ICC Belfast is perfectly positioned to play host to the main Summit sessions in May 2023. The focus at Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built international convention centre has been on business preparedness over the past twelve months and the venue is now fully equipped to deliver large-scale conference, summits and exhibitions that are hybrid-by-design.

Charlie McCloskey, Head of Events and Customer Experience at ICC Belfast | Waterfront Hall | Ulster Hall said:

Our entire team has been fully invested in this event from the early stages of the bid so to be announced as a Host City is incredible. Delivering a launch event also allowed us to build momentum for the 2023 Summit and share this excitement and passion with our partners throughout the city too.

“Our Hybrid Studio was the ideal setting. The flexibility it offers means that premier events such as One Young World never have to compromise and can safely provide delegates with a world-class technical production wherever they are in the world at a time and in a way that suits them.”

One Young World Belfast 2023 will be delivered and matched-funded by a range of private and public sector partners and sponsors – including Belfast City Council; Conference Partners International; Connected Citizens; Department for the Economy NI; Department of Finance NI; Education Authority NI; Tourism Northern Ireland; Visit Belfast and ICC Belfast. Opportunities to sponsor and provide in-kind support for One Young World Belfast 2023 will officially be launched in the coming months.