By: Asim Nawaz Abbasi
Young leaders from Pakistan recently marked a significant milestone by actively participating in global policy discussions at the United Nations Headquarters during the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026, session on Youth, Peace and Security, and the Financing for Development Week.
Mr. Fsahat Ul-Hassan, Coordinator to the Chairman, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Government of Pakistan, moderated the Asia-Pacific Regional Session at the ECOSOC Youth Forum, an important platform that brought together voices from the world’s most populous region to align on shared priorities and solutions. The session was co-led by the Youth Advocacy Network (YAN), a youth-led organization based in Pakistan.
Mr. Danish Tariq, International Engagements Coordinator at YAN, delivered an intervention during the ECOSOC Youth Forum, he emphasized that youth are not lacking participation but influence, highlighting that while young people are often heard, their voices are not always reflected in decision-making processes, creating a gap in trust and meaningful partnership. As 2030 approaches, he stressed that youth leadership must go beyond inclusion to actively driving impact and shaping outcomes.
Youth Advocacy Network (YAN) being the Regional Caucus Coordinator – Asia Pacific at the UN Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY), was part of the Youth Blast ahead of the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026. The youth blast is a high-level, youth-led capacity-building engagement organized by MGCY. It contributes to the discussion on strengthening meaningful youth participation, aligning regional priorities, and shaping a collective youth voice for impactful engagement.
Beyond formal sessions, the delegation actively engaged in high-level bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening collaboration and advancing Pakistan’s youth agenda globally. Among these was a meeting with Mr.Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, focusing on Pakistan’s role in shaping global youth policy and identifying avenues for future collaboration. The delegation also had a meeting with Dr. Sudha Balakrishnan, Chief, UN System Coordination and Accountability on Youth2030, and the UN Youth Strategy focusing on advancing the rights of women, girls, children and young people.
On the sidelines of the Commission on Population and Development, the delegation met with Dr. Shabana Saleem, Director General of the Population Program Wing at the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Government of Pakistan. The discussion highlighted YAN’s positioning within the youth and civil society organizations (CSOs) group and its contributions under the FP2030 initiative, reaffirming commitment to youth-led advocacy in population and development.
Youth Advocacy Network (YAN) also participated in the Global Consultation on the Second Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security, organized by the SDG 16 Global Youth Caucus of the Major Group for Children and Youth in collaboration with the United Nations Secretariat on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). The consultation focused on financing YPS and its interlinkages with broader UN reform, alongside regional discussions identifying key priorities across contexts. During the engagement, YAN highlighted Pakistan’s constructive role in advancing peacebuilding efforts while underscoring the shared priorities of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and YAN in promoting youth-led peace initiatives, inclusive policymaking, and strengthened regional cooperation contributing to collective global recommendations on Youth, Peace, and Security.
The delegation also held a productive meeting with Mr. Muhammad Awais, Director of Muslim Affairs, and Ms. Hanadi Doleh, Deputy Director of Community Engagement & Partnerships, at the New York State Office of the Attorney General. Discussions focused on exploring strategic opportunities for joint youth engagement and strengthening collaboration between New York’s diverse communities and the youth of Pakistan. The delegation was led by Mr. Fsahat Ul-Hassan (PMYP), alongside Mr. Danish Tariq (YAN), Mr. Asad Abbas, and Mr. Amsal Zaman, Deputy Director, PMYP.
The delegation further attended a strategic briefing and dinner hosted by Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, reinforcing Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement and commitment to meaningful youth participation.
Mr. Danish Tariq also gave an intervention at the Financing for Development session and called for urgent financial reforms, including addressing debt burdens, lowering borrowing costs, strengthening regional-global coordination, empowering Global South countries, enhancing the role of development banks, and ensuring a fair and inclusive international financial system.
Additionally, Mr. Danish Tariq met with Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, Director of the United Nations Regional Commissions New York Office and former Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations, to discuss the work of YAN as the focal point for the Youth, Children and Adolescent constituency within the Asia Pacific Regional CSOs Engagement Mechanism (AP-RCEM).
These engagements reflect Pakistan’s growing leadership in youth diplomacy and its commitment to ensuring that young voices are actively shaping global policies. The delegation also included Mr. Amsal Zaman, Deputy Director PMYP, Ms. Bisma Qamar, PMYP Representative to the USA Chapter, Mr. Fakhar Jabran, and Mr. Rahim Sattar.
