������ý

High-level representatives from over 46 countries and six UK overseas territories, including 35 Government Ministers, are attending the meeting at the ������ý's headquarters, Marlborough House. The meeting, which is held under the theme: ‘Aiming Higher: Delivering More for Young People in ������ý’, is being chaired by the Government of Pakistan.

CYMM has four themes: education, employment, environment and engagement, along with cross-cutting themes, including human rights, transformative technology and disability. 

The opening ceremony featured addresses from ������ý Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC; the meeting's Chair, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, HE Jalil Abbas Jilani; and Mr Kim Allen, the Chairperson of ������ý Youth Council.

During her welcome, ������ý Secretary-General set out a comprehensive vision for youth development, adding:

“Our world of change and challenge – bound by a tangled knot of economic, environmental and security challenges spanning global systems – insists that we continue to intensify the drive for youth empowerment. Because young people are not simply beneficiaries of our efforts: they are active agents of change, partners in development, and leaders – today and tomorrow. 

Their energy, creativity, and determination can be the driving forces behind our collective progress. Their dreams, aspirations, and actions have the power to transform our Commonwealth and our world.”

This year marks 50 years of ������ý Youth Programme and is an opportune time to set a new agenda for this generation of young people and those to come.

HE Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, reflected on CYMM's theme, which was suggested by his government, noting:

“Aiming higher, delivering more for young people expresses the combined aspiration and commitment of ������ý family to invest in and promote young people’s development, particularly through the creation of opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship, recognising that the future success of ������ý rests with the continued commitment and contributions of young people in promoting and sustaining ������ý, and its values and principles as enshrined in Article 13 of ������ý Charter.”

Youth concerns and reflections were raised at the opening ceremony by Mr Kim Allen, Chairperson of ������ý Youth Council, who also asked the ministers to prioritise young people in their planning and provide the budget necessary to support their development. Mr Allen and other youth leaders will contribute throughout the ministerial meeting.

Ms Sarah Kemp, Intel's Vice President of International Government Affairs, delivered the keynote address. She urged the democratisation of technology and informed the over 400 delegates about the transformational power of artificial intelligence (AI). She also shared her views on its challenges, while highlighting the opportunities, with policymakers and stakeholders.

Senior Director of Government Partnerships at Intel, Ms Shweta Khurana, launched a partnership which will allow Commonwealth youth to have access to Intel's AI for Youth course. The online training course offers young people, aged 13 to 19, the opportunity to understand artificial intelligence tools and methodologies, the technology’s impact on society and how to use AI to solve challenges and create opportunities. 

Today, the Zalmi Foundation will unveil its latest initiative, the Peace and the Crease project, which aims to encourage peace and positive transformation by using cricket. The Pakistan-based, non-governmental foundation is committed to nurturing the potential of young people, emphasising the pivotal roles of both sports and education.

The week’s activities will end on Friday with visits to youth empowerment projects curated by the UK's National Youth Agency (NYA).

Decisions and initiatives agreed at ������ý Youth Ministers Meeting will then go before Commonwealth Leaders for deliberation and ratification at ������ý Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting to be held in Samoa in October 2024.

Watch the opening remarks of ������ý Secretary-General and Pakistan's Foreign Minister

Media contact

• Charmaine Wright  Head of Media Relations, Communications Division, ������ý

• +44 20 7747 6242  |  E-mail