The Youth Coordinator of YPSA represented Bangladesh at the World Youth Forum (WYF) 2026, organized by the Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA) and held in Porto, Portugal. The global gathering brought together more than 130 young leaders from over 45 countries, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action on pressing global challenges.
The Centre for Diplomatic Advancement (CDA) is an international organization dedicated to fostering diplomacy, leadership, and sustainable development by equipping young leaders with practical skills, policy exposure, and global networks. Its flagship initiative, the World Youth Forum 2026, aims to strengthen youth participation in global governance by promoting cross-cultural exchange, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving.
Participating as a Bangladeshi delegate, the YPSA Youth Coordinator Afra Nawar Rahman delivered a compelling youth statement representing the aspirations and lived realities of young people from Bangladesh and other climate-vulnerable regions. Addressing a diverse international audience, she emphasized that youth from frontline communities are not merely victims of global crises but leaders, innovators, and first responders—particularly in the face of climate change, coastal displacement, and widening inequality.
In her statement, she highlighted how young people in Bangladesh are actively documenting grassroots realities, preserving local knowledge, and translating community experiences into national and global advocacy. She stressed that authentic documentation is critical to ensuring that global policies reflect the lived experiences of those most affected by environmental and social injustices.
She further called for meaningful and institutionalized youth inclusion in decision-making processes, underscoring that young people must be recognized as equal partners in policy design and implementation rather than symbolic participants. Emphasizing equity and human rights, she strongly advocated for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, noting their disproportionate vulnerability during disasters and climate emergencies. She urged governments, institutions, and development actors to adopt inclusive, rights-based approaches to resilience, preparedness, and sustainable development.
Concluding her address, she called on global leaders to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate accountability through sustained investment in youth-led, community-driven solutions. Her participation at WYF 2026 reaffirmed YPSA’s commitment to empowering young changemakers and amplifying youth voices in international platforms, strengthening Bangladesh’s contribution to global dialogue on justice, resilience, and sustainable development.
