The United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth is the UN General Assembly-mandated, official, formal and self-organised mechanism for young people to meaningfully engage in the UN. 

UNMGCY act as a bridge between young people and the UN system in order to ensure that their right to meaningful participation is realized. They do so by engaging formal and informal communities of young people, in the design, implementation, monitoring, follow-up, and review of sustainable development policies at all levels. 

They have a long history, it was created through Agenda 21 in 1992. Additionally, it receives and strengthens its mandates through several GA resolutions, bilateral agreements and/or terms of reference with specific UN entities.

The UN MGCY seeks to build a world on the collective principles of solidarity, justice, equity, universality, inclusion, human rights, and the integrity of the planet. They strive for a resilient world where young people and all rights holders in all their diversity are equals in decision making.