Minister urges ASEAN to anticipate youth development challenges

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir has urged ASEAN countries to anticipate the challenges of youth development amid rapid global change.

“Our young generation is facing a world that is changing faster than ever before,” Erick said in a virtual address to the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY XIV) 2026, according to an official statement in Jakarta on Friday.

At the ASEAN youth ministerial meeting, Erick outlined various challenges facing the younger generation, ranging from artificial intelligence and technological change to the state of the world of work, as well as social issues and mental health.

These challenges, he said, are the reason ASEAN countries should strengthen cooperation in preparing the younger generation for the future.

He also described the state of Indonesian youth, noting that around 66.8 million young people are one of the main forces in realising the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045.

The Indonesian government, he said, has adopted the Grand Design for National Youth Development to build the character of Indonesian youth based on three core values: patriotism, resilience and empathy.

“This serves as a platform for the younger generation to connect with one another, learn, and build projects with social impact and digital innovation,” he said.

Erick welcomed the planned ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2026-2030, which focuses on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, climate resilience, mental health and entrepreneurship.

This is in line with the Bali Declaration, adopted at the Southeast Asia Ministerial Meeting on Youth and Sports in Bali in May 2026.

Erick stressed that ASEAN’s future is largely determined by the extent to which member states invest in their young people.

He said Indonesia is ready to strengthen cooperation not only with all ASEAN members, but also through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific framework to develop the younger generation.