Commonwealth Asia Youth Summit Concludes with Strong Commitment to Youth Empowerment
Tanveer Ahmed:
Islamabad:A landmark summit focused on youth leadership in Asia has concluded with bold recommendations to empower young people and enhance their participation in policymaking.
The Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance (CAYA) Summit and the Asia Regional Youth Ministers Meeting, held from January 28 to 30, 2025, in Islamabad, Pakistan, resulted in the Islamabad Declaration on Youth Development—a powerful statement that prioritizes youth as key decision-makers and leaders within the Commonwealth.
A Platform for Regional Collaboration
Organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the Government of Pakistan, and the British Council, the summit served as a crucial platform to foster regional partnerships, build consensus, and advance youth-focused policies.
Over three days, the meeting gathered youth ministers from 12 Asian nations, including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These leaders shared their vision for a future where young people actively shape solutions for global challenges, including climate change, education reform, and youth employment.
Leadership and Commitment
Speaking at the inaugural session, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, emphasized the need to place young people at the heart of governance and decision-making.
“By ensuring that youth remain central in governance, we can drive progress through fostering partnerships, supporting entrepreneurship, and prioritizing education and skills development. The future belongs to an empowered generation.”
He further encouraged leaders to view young people not just as stakeholders but as active partners in shaping a stronger and more resilient Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of youth-led innovation and inclusivity.
“In Asia, with its rich diversity and dynamic economies, young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the architects of a brighter, more inclusive future. The policies youth ministers champion today can transform lives and build resilient societies.”
United for Youth Empowerment
The summit welcomed over 40 international delegates, including government officials, diplomats, academics, students, and 113 newly appointed members of Pakistan’s National Youth Council.
Discussions focused on advancing peace, democracy, and sustainable development, while senior officials reviewed progress on key Commonwealth commitments, including the Marlborough House Commitments and the Commonwealth Asia Regional Youth Leadership Summit (Kuala Lumpur, 2024).
Actionable Commitments and Next Steps
To turn recommendations into concrete action, participating ministers proposed several key initiatives, including:
✅ Establishing a Youth Empowerment Fund under CAYA to support youth-led initiatives, ensuring accessibility to all member countries.
✅ Launching the CAYA Strategic Plan (2025–2030) to guide country-specific youth policies in alignment with national laws and regulations.
✅ Boosting investment in youth work, education, and skills training at national and regional levels.
✅ Hosting annual regional dialogues and capacity-building workshops to track progress, share best practices, and strengthen intergovernmental collaboration.
As Asia is home to a large portion of the Commonwealth’s youth population, leaders at the summit reinforced their commitment to creating more opportunities for young people. With strong regional partnerships, entrepreneurship development, and policy support, youth across Asia will play a pivotal role in shaping a resilient Commonwealth and a more prosperous future.
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