International Youth Day 2026: Investing in Young People Means Investing in the Future

Held under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” International Youth Day 2026 recognizes that young people live in different social, economic and geographical circumstances, but share common aspirations for a safe, secure and meaningful future.

Today, young people are facing a range of interconnected challenges, including economic insecurity, limited employment opportunities, unequal access to education and skills, rising living costs, housing pressures, migration, climate change, conflict, social pressures, and rapid changes in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

The UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey 2026, which gathered the views of more than 108,000 young adults aged 18–39 across 73 countries and territories including Cambodia, found that economic security, health and well-being are among young people’s highest concerns. At the same time, young people are increasingly worried about economic inequality, global conflict, environmental risks and technological change.

“Young people are not only beneficiaries of development - but they are also partners, leaders, and agents of change. Cambodia's future must be built with them and by them. As we mark 20 years of the UN Youth Advisory Panel, the United Nations remains committed to walking alongside young people - supporting their rights, amplifying their voices, and investing in them today, not tomorrow,”  said Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia.

Despite these challenges, young people continue to have hope and aspirations for the future. The UNFPA survey found that around two-thirds of young people surveyed feel positive about the future, showing that concerns about today’s challenges are accompanied by a strong belief that a better future is possible.

“Young people are a driving force for Cambodia’s future,” said His Excellency Chek Lim, Deputy Director-General of Youth and Deputy Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the National Youth Development Council of Cambodia (NYDC). “We must continue to listen to their voices, understand the challenges they face, and create more opportunities for education, skills development, decent employment and meaningful participation. When young people are empowered, they can make a stronger contribution to their communities and to the country’s development.”

“As young people, we come from different backgrounds and face different challenges, but we share many of the same hopes for our future. Over the past 20 years, UNYAP has given young people a space to speak, participate and contribute to positive change. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to remind everyone that investing in young people means listening to our voices, trusting our ideas and creating real opportunities for us to shape the future we want,” said Pach Pagnavorn, Youth Representative of UNYAP Cambodia.

The event will provide a platform for young people and stakeholders to share experiences, discuss current challenges and explore solutions that can create better opportunities for young people. It will also highlight stories and experiences of young people in Cambodia related to education, volunteering, school dropout, child marriage and migration.

UNYAP and the United Nations Country Team in Cambodia call for stronger cooperation among government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders to address the challenges facing young people and create more opportunities for their meaningful participation in decision-making and development.

The event also marks the importance of recognizing and supporting youth-led initiatives, strengthening networks and promoting greater investment in youth development. Investing in young people today is investing in the future of Cambodia and the world. 

For further information, please contact: 

• Mr. SIM Chansamnang

Member of UNYAP Cambodia

Tel: 093 546 289

About UNYAP

The United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP) serves as the official youth advisory body to the United Nations Country Team in Cambodia. UNYAP promotes meaningful youth engagement in decision-making processes and advocates for the rights, well-being, and development of young people across Cambodia. UNYAP on Facebook 

View photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD3EWV