About 60 representatives of youth from ASEAN member countries and Timor Leste gathered in Jakarta for ASEAN Youth Dialogue (AYD) on Digital Development for Sustainable Development Goals 2023, 11-13 April 2023. The 3-day event aims to discuss and formulate youth recommendation for ASEAN Leaders on equitable and inclusive digital development for SDGs in Southeast Asia.
The event was officially opened by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, H.E Retno Marsudi, and attended by Minister of Youth and Sports of Indonesia, H.E. Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo.
In her opening remarks, Minister Retno stated that youth and digital economy play a crucial role to ensure that the Southeast Asian region continues to be an epicentrum of growth. She highlighted three points to attain this objective, namely spearheading innovations, advancing the spirit of entrepreneurship, and emboldening social responsibility. Minister Retno concluded her remark by emphasizing the role of youth in the reigon. “ASEAN’s future is in your hands. With the vision to realize ASEAN 2045, the youth today are the ones that will make a difference” she said.
The Minister of Youth and Sports agreed that the youth are the region’s strategic asset for growth. He underlined the commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support the youth especially in industrialised sports, innovation, and entrepreneurships in Indonesia. From the regional point of view, Minister Ario Bimo highlighted the importance of support and collaboration among youth and all key players to advance the growth of the region.
AYD is one of the flagship events of Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the priority of the Implementation of ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Deliberation under the theme is expected to contribute to the efforts towards sustaining the region as an epicentrum of growth through maximizing the role of youth. The outcome of AYD is to be conveyed to the ASEAN Leaders at the 42nd ASEN Summit in Labuan Bajo, 10 May 2023.
AYD features panel discussion with speakers from ASEAN member states, dialogue and workshop for capacity building on inclusivity and youth’s participation in accelerating digital transformation, the dual role of youth in the implementation of SDGs, avenues in strengthening the region’s Digital Ecosystem for Youth Entrepreneurship, ASEAN Post -2025 Community Vision: Partnership for Youth Beyond 2025, digital platform and transformation for green economy, climate action, and also digital ecosystem for Youth Entrepreneurship. Participants will also visit Traveloka and Schneider Electric Indonesia.
The 3-day event will be concluded by social programs that include ASEAN Halal Food Festival, ASEAN Youth Cultural Performance and sharing session with some students with disabilities from Jakarta. The social program is jointly held by the Provincial Government of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Badan Amil Zakat Nasional Provinsi DKI Jakarta (National Charity Board-Jakarta), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Youth and Sport.
Directorate of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Cooperation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia