Regional Youth Leaders Discuss Ways to Forge a More Connected and Resilient ASEAN

“Instead of competing, we should work together so that we can build a better world for everyone. We stand a much better chance when countries unite to solve global issues such as climate change, waste management, and poverty,” said Singaporean Oh Chu Xian.

She is a member of the ASEAN Youth Fellowship (AYF) and was reflecting on the spirit of collaboration across the region, during a meeting in Vientiane, Laos.

The AYF is a leadership development programme that aims to connect emerging young leaders across the public, private, and people sectors and focuses on fostering cross-border collaboration. It is co-organised annually by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and the National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore.

The sixth edition of the programme ran from 3 to 10 November 2024 in Singapore as well as Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Laos. It brought together 44 youth leaders from all 10 ASEAN states and Timor-Leste, which was represented at AYF for the first time.

In line with Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, AYF 2024 focused on pressing topics such as digital transformation, inclusivity and sustainability. The Fellows engaged in discussions with thought leaders from various sectors. They also visited organisations at the forefront of innovation and future-readiness in both Singapore and Laos.

Mr He Ruiming, a Fellow from Singapore said: “The key to a more connected and resilient ASEAN is to build a deeper understanding among countries. We must learn from one another and understand the unique difficulties faced by each country. This will allow us to address shared challenges effectively with a more collaborative mindset.”

Ms Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, a Malaysian Fellow, stressed the need for co-operation on the global stage. She said: “Many of the problems that we face today, including climate change, are global in nature and cannot be solved by one or two countries alone. Co-operation among countries is essential to ensure that we can develop innovative solutions not just for the ASEAN region but also for the world at large.”

She added: “The voice of one Southeast Asian country may not make a huge impact on the global stage in addressing pressing global issues. However, as a united ASEAN, we can amplify our voices to raise important matters and create impactful change for the region and beyond.”

Mr Mohammad Ashmeer, a Fellow from Brunei said: “AYF showed me that despite having different cultural backgrounds and experiences, we share many common challenges in our respective countries. This means that there are many opportunities for us to pick up best practices from around the region and adapt them in our own country.”

He added: “I am now confident that I can get advice from my AYF friends whenever I need help. If I am visiting any of their countries, they are just a text away. This sets the foundation for stronger ties across the region that will allow us to work together on building a more connected and resilient ASEAN.”