The Global Sustainable Leaders Forum kicked off Tuesday in Beijing, gathering 600 youth delegates from more than 30 countries and regions to discuss the transition to a low-carbon economy and sustainable development.

The Global Sustainable Leaders Forum (GSLF) held its opening ceremony on Nov 23 in Beijing.?[China.org.cn]

The three-day event is in part a celebration of the UN's International Year of the Youth, which began in August. Most of the participants are college students. Also attending are more than 600 representatives from businesses, governments and organizations.

The focus of the forum is on emerging markets, so China was naturally the topic of many speeches. As it transitions from an agricultural society to an industrial nation, China also must decide whether it wants to transition to a low-carbon economy.

"China is the leader of global clean energy production, and if it continues the low-carbon road, it will benefit itself as well in the future," said Goerild Heggelund, a senior advisor from the UN Development Program.

But that road will come with many difficulties. Because it is still industrializing, it means China has to improve quality of life for people while pursuing low-carbon development, said Wen Tiejun, a professor at Renmin University.

"So I hope when China's young generation enhance low-carbon economy in the future, they [can] find a better way to solve the issue," He said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also had a message for the young leaders. "Sustainability is about your life, your home and your future, so please use your imagination, [inspiration] and passion with us together to make the future greener and more sustainable," he said in a video at the forum's opening ceremony.