Michelin Sallata, Indigenous APFSD Youth Forum 2026 Scholar
In a world increasingly shaped by overlapping crises: climate change, inequality, conflict, and economic instability, young people continue to rise as powerful agents of change. Representing a significant portion of the global population, youth are not only inheritors of the future but also active contributors to shaping it. My participation in the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Youth Forum 2026 and the drafting of the APFSD Youth Forum 2026 Call to Action reaffirmed this reality in the most inspiring way.
Held ahead of the official APFSD, the Youth Forum 2026 brought together young leaders, advocates, and changemakers from across the Asia-Pacific region. The Forum served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action, where diverse perspectives converged to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our societies today.
Throughout the APFSD Youth Forum 2026, it became clear that while the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) provide a comprehensive roadmap toward a better future, progress remains uneven and insufficient. Many communities continue to face barriers in accessing basic needs such as quality education, healthcare, and decent work. At the same time, the accelerating impacts of climate change disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Outcomes of the APFSD Youth Forum 2026
What stood out most during the Youth Forum was the collective determination among participants to not only highlight these challenges but to actively propose solutions. Through interactive discussions, workshops, and collaborative sessions, we worked together to develop the APFSD Youth Forum 2026 Regional Youth Call to Action, an advocacy document that reflects our shared commitments and recommendations for policymakers, governments, and stakeholders.
The Youth Forum emphasised several priority areas aligned with the SDGs under review in 2026. These discussions were grounded in principles of inclusivity, equity, and sustainability, ensuring that no one is left behind. Participants shared innovative ideas ranging from community-based climate action to youth-led entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and strengthening partnerships across sectors.
Beyond the formal sessions, the Forum created a space for meaningful connections. Engaging with fellow young people from different cultural, social, and national backgrounds was both enriching and empowering. It reminded me that while our contexts may differ, our aspirations for a just, peaceful, and sustainable world are deeply interconnected.
Takeaway from the APFSD Youth Forum 2026
One key takeaway from my experience is the urgent need to move beyond symbolic youth engagement. Young people must be recognized not merely as beneficiaries of development policies but as equal partners in decision-making processes. Our voices, experiences, and ideas are essential in shaping policies that are responsive, inclusive, and future-oriented.
As we look ahead, the responsibility does not end with the conclusion of the Forum. Instead, it marks the beginning of a continued commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and action within our respective communities. The Call to Action we developed is not just a document, it is a reflection of our collective vision and a tool to hold leaders accountable.
Participating in the APFSD Youth Forum 2026 has strengthened my belief that meaningful change is possible when young people come together with a shared purpose. It is through solidarity, innovation, and persistence that we can accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
The message from the youth is clear: we are ready to lead, to collaborate, and to act. What we need now is for decision-makers to listen, to trust, and to work alongside us. Our future is not something to wait for, it is something we are building today.
