A grand reception was held at St James’ Palace to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and to recognize the outstanding contributions of young people to sustainable development. The event also paid homage to the enduring support of past leaders towards youth development spanning five decades.
During the reception, Dr. Muhammad Ali, Deputy Secretary of Youth Affairs Pakistan presented key elements of the draft ministerial statement from the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministries meeting. This statement outlined the preamble, core values, and principles of the Year of Youth mandate, emphasizing the pivotal role of technology, accessible education, youth engagement, employment opportunities, policy development, and partnerships. These actions are geared towards translating the overarching theme of “aiming higher” into tangible, measurable outcomes.
In his address, Dr. Muhammad Ali underscored the Commonwealth’s forward-looking approach, highlighting the importance of integration, feedback mechanisms, and accountability. He provided insights into the draft ministerial statement, comprising 63 paragraphs. The initial paragraphs (1 to 9) focused on the preamble and core values of the Commonwealth.—PR
