Young Asean voices set agenda for a sustainable tomorrow

New Straits Times

26-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Delegates of the 4th Asean Youth Dialogue 2025 have urged Asean leaders to demonstrate clear commitment and awareness in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the region.
In their 4th Asean Youth Statement 2025, themed "Youth for a Sustainable Future: Empowering Inclusion and Driving Change in Asean," the delegates called on leaders to adopt nine key policy recommendations aimed at ensuring equitable, inclusive, and sustainable youth participation in driving socioeconomic development.
These matters were among the key topics raised during the Asean Leaders' Interface with Representatives of Asean Youth held at the 46th Asean Summit.
Central to the recommendations was a call for renewed efforts to empower young people in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and realising the Asean Community Vision 2025.
The statement also highlighted the importance of enhancing youth health and wellbeing, advocating improved mental health services, comprehensive reproductive health education, and affordable access to healthcare — measures seen as vital for equipping the next generation to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
Education and skills development were also prioritised, with delegates calling for improved digital literacy and proficiency in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
In addition, the delegates urged Asean member states to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting start-ups, mentorship schemes, and providing accessible funding opportunities.
They also stressed the importance of targeted policies to uplift marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities, rural communities, and women.
Delegates further stressed the need for investment in sustainable infrastructure to bridge the urban–rural divide, and called for unified action to address the climate crisis, including prioritising climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and intercultural exchange programmes to promote regional solidarity and understanding.
Malaysia's youth delegate Muhammad Izzat Afifi said Asean's youth were ready to lead.
"We are not only advocating for ourselves, but for a future in which inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation are the foundation of our region's development," he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippines' delegate Michelle Ann M. Villanueva, from its National Youth Commission, hailed the dialogue as a groundbreaking opportunity for youth voices to be recognised.
"This is a testament that we are valued, we are heard, and we matter," she said, highlighting the importance of platforms that allow young people to convey their needs and aspirations directly to Asean leaders.
As the Asean Work Plan on Youth 2021–2025 nears its conclusion, the dialogue reaffirmed the importance of institutionalising youth participation in policymaking.
Delegates expressed hope that their recommendations would serve as a blueprint for action, inspiring Asean leaders to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.