Indonesian minister urges ASEAN cooperation on youth development

Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir called for stronger regional collaboration among ASEAN nations to tackle the evolving challenges faced by young people during a virtual address at the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth. The meeting took place on Friday, with ministers from all ten ASEAN countries participating remotely. Thohir emphasized that the rapid pace of change in technology, employment opportunities, and societal structures demands a unified approach to prepare the region's youth for the future. Thohir outlined several pressing issues affecting young people, including advancements in artificial intelligence, transformations in the job market, shifting social dynamics, and rising concerns related to mental health. He argued that these developments necessitate closer ASEAN cooperation to ensure young people acquire the necessary skills and resilience to thrive in this new landscape. With approximately 66.8 million young people, Indonesia's demographic represents a crucial asset in realizing the nation's long-term vision known as Golden Indonesia 2045. To harness this potential, the Indonesian government has introduced the National Youth Grand Design, which centers on cultivating three core values among youth: patriotism, resilience, and empathy. This initiative is being executed through various flagship programs such as the Wirasena Youth Exchange, Wirasena Youth Camp, National Youth Forum, and National Debate and Speech Competition. These initiatives provide platforms for young individuals to engage, learn, create social impact projects, and innovate digitally. Thohir expressed support for the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2026–2030, which prioritizes areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, mental health, and entrepreneurship. This strategic document corresponds with the Bali Declaration, which was ratified at the Southeast Asia Ministerial Meeting on Youth and Sports held in Bali in May 2026. According to Thohir, the trajectory of ASEAN's future hinges significantly on the level of investment made by its member states in their youth populations. In addition to advocating for enhanced ASEAN cooperation, Thohir reiterated Indonesia's commitment to deepening youth development partnerships with other ASEAN members under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific framework. This effort aims to foster greater connectivity and mutual understanding among the region's youth. The call for increased ASEAN collaboration comes amid ongoing efforts to promote cultural exchange and heritage preservation within the region. Recently, Indonesia has taken steps to bring ASEAN youth together through cultural scholarships, while a delegation from the China-ASEAN Youth Culture and Heritage Tour visited Guilin, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural engagement in shaping the region's youth. The discussions at the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth underscored the shared recognition among ASEAN member states of the need to address the multifaceted challenges confronting their younger generations. As the region continues to navigate the complexities of technological advancement and economic transformation, the emphasis on collective action and strategic planning remains central to ensuring the prosperity and well-being of ASEAN's youth.