Commonwealth Youth Ministers Task Force endorses new framework to advance youth development

The Commonwealth Youth Ministers Task Force has endorsed a new framework to guide the delivery of the Commonwealth Youth Programme over the next three years to advance youth development across member countries.

The endorsement was made at a special meeting of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force, held on 28 July at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London and online. The framework aligns the Commonwealth Youth Programme with the Commonwealth Secretariat Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and positions young people as partners and leaders in building democratic, economic and environmental resilience. It has a particular focus on creating opportunities for youth leadership, skills, entrepreneurship and digital inclusion, supported by measurable results.

The meeting was co-chaired by Hon Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Pakistan, and Hon Moefaauouo Julius Ah Kui Tafunai, Minister for Samoa's Ministry of Family and Social Affairs.

In her welcome remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, welcomed the endorsement and thanked ministers for their continued commitment to delivering tangible opportunities for young people.

She said:

“The strong level of support for the framework reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Commonwealth co-operation on youth development.

“Equally valuable are the recommendations received on implementation, financing, technical assistance and support for Small States and Small Island Developing States. These contributions have enriched the framework and will help ensure that the Commonwealth Youth Programme remains practical and responsive to the needs of our young people.”

A welcome blueprint

Ministers welcomed the framework’s emphasis on youth mainstreaming across the pillars of the Secretariat’s Strategic Plan, while reaffirming the distinct role of the Commonwealth Youth Programme for youth development. They also endorsed a focused portfolio of high-impact initiatives designed to strengthen inclusive youth participation, youth entrepreneurship, access to finance, digital capabilities and skills development.

Hon Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force, said:

“Our discussions have provided valuable strategic guidance on the Commonwealth Youth Programme Strategic Framework (2026-2030) and reaffirmed our collective commitment to strengthening youth development across the Commonwealth.”

Addressing the meeting, Hon Moefaauouo Julius Ah Kui Tafunai, Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force said:

“As Co-chair, I thank you for the wisdom, purpose and collective resolve you brought to our discussions. We affirmed our commitment to a Commonwealth Youth Programme that is strategic, collaborative and accountable—one that places young people at the centre and delivers measurable outcomes.

Samoa remains committed to working with the Commonwealth and all member states to expand meaningful opportunities for young people.”

During deliberations, ministers called for an implementation plan that reflects the recommendations submitted by member countries and is supported by a strengthened monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework.

Ministers also noted the proposed Commonwealth Youth Programme Strategic Co-Investment Model, designed to mobilise additional resources and partnerships while preserving the Programme’s existing mandate, governance arrangements and institutional status.

Ministers received updates on the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF), which will take place from 2 to 4 November 2026 at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda alongside the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM); and preparations for the 11^th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in 2027.

Recommendations and next steps

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Commonwealth youth development agenda, with a strong focus on empowering young people to lead, contribute and help shape a more sustainable and prosperous future. They expressed deep appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretary-General for her continued commitment to young people across the Commonwealth.

The meeting closed with a renewed commitment to collaboration, with participants recognising the continued leadership of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the valuable contributions of all those who supported the meeting’s success.

The Secretariat will finalise the implementation plan for the framework, incorporating recommendations from member countries and the Task Force.

The Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force brings together ministers and senior officials from The Bahamas, Cyprus, The Gambia, India, Kenya, Namibia, Naoero, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Saint Lucia and Uganda, together with representatives of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) and the Commonwealth Association of Youth Work Associations (CAYWA), to provide strategic guidance on Commonwealth youth development priorities and on the delivery of commitments made by member countries.

Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force Outcome Document.pdf (167.18 KB)