• Youth Leadership Positioned at the Core of Policy and Innovation

• Pakistani delegates emphasize that youth must be placed at the centre of policymaking, innovation, and institutional development.

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

UNITED NATIONS, April 19, 2026: Pakistan’s youth delegation, nominated by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), actively participated in the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 at United Nations Headquarters, underscoring the central role of youth leadership in advancing inclusion, climate resilience, and global cooperation under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

During the Forum’s high-level engagements, the Pakistani delegates emphasized that youth leadership must move beyond symbolic inclusion and be placed at the centre of policy, innovation and institution-building.

In national statements, they highlighted that with over 60 percent of its population under the age of 30, the country sees youth as partners in shaping inclusive development, climate resilience and social cohesion. They also underscored Pakistan’s strong focus on SDG 6 (safe water and sanitation), noting that for countries facing climate stress and water scarcity, water security is not only a development priority but also a test of resilience, equity and sustainability.

The Pakistani youth delegation also outlined ongoing national measures to empower youth through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, including the Green Youth Movement and the National Volunteer Corps, aimed at environmental stewardship and community-based climate solutions. They also highlighted the National Youth Development Framework (ages 10–29) developed through consultations led by the National Youth Council, as well as evidence-based planning supported through a Digital Youth Hub.

In their interventions, the delegates stressed that progress on water and sanitation also depends on a cooperative international environment and responsible management of shared water resources. They identified three priorities: strengthening cooperation on shared waters on the basis of equity and mutual benefit; investing in youth-led innovation in water conservation, sanitation and climate adaptation; and building regional partnerships so water becomes a source of sustainable development and peace.

The delegates further highlighted national efforts to expand opportunities for young people through education, employment, engagement and environment. They noted that around 720,000 young people have received skills training, more than 600,000 laptops have been distributed, and over 535,000 beneficiaries have accessed business and agriculture loans.

The delegation underscored the importance of inclusion, especially for young women and youth with disabilities, and called for expanded participation of youth in governance, scaled-up investment in education and decent work, and stronger youth leadership in peacebuilding and climate action.

The Pakistan delegation engaged actively across the three-day Forum, participating in plenary sessions, contributing to thematic and side events, moderating discussions in parallel sessions, and holding bilateral and multilateral meetings with key stakeholders.

The delegation also interacted with the President of the ECOSOC Youth Forum, senior leadership of the UN Youth Office at Assistant Secretary-General level, the President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), the Youth Minister of Zambia, and youth representatives from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom and France, to strengthen collaboration and exchange good practices.

The Pakistani delegation comprised Mr. Amsal Zaman (Deputy Director, PMYP), Ms. Bisma Qamar (Member, National Youth Council – USA Chapter), Mr. Fakhar Jabran (Member, National Youth Council – AJK Chapter), Mr. Fsahat ul Hassan (Coordinator to Chairman PMYP on OIC), and Mr. Rahim Sattar (Youth Delegate, Chicago).

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad stated that the participation of its youth delegation at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 reflects a continued national focus on empowering young people and ensuring their meaningful inclusion in global development discussions, while advancing youth-led solutions for sustainable development at home and internationally.

• UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026

The UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 is one of the United Nations’ flagship annual platforms for engaging young people in global policymaking and sustainable development. Convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the Forum brings together youth delegates, government representatives, policymakers, and civil society actors from around the world at the United Nations Headquarters.

The 2026 Forum focuses on accelerating progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular attention to youth-led solutions in areas such as climate action, education, inclusion, and water security. It serves as a key space for dialogue, policy input, and partnership-building, ensuring that youth perspectives are integrated into international decision-making processes.

• Backgrounder: Youth Leadership in Achieving the SDGs

Youth leadership is increasingly recognized as a critical driver in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. With nearly half of the world’s population under the age of 30, young people are not only beneficiaries of development policies but also active agents of change shaping sustainable futures.

Across sectors such as climate action, education, innovation, and governance, youth-led initiatives are contributing to localized and scalable solutions. Their role is particularly vital in advancing goals like SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, where community-driven innovation and awareness can directly impact resilience and sustainability. Strengthening youth participation in policymaking, investing in education and skills, and enabling leadership opportunities are widely seen as essential steps toward achieving inclusive and long-term global development outcomes.