New Voice for Asia’s youth as CAYA takes its first steps in Pakistan

by Ramna Saeed

Pakistan has taken a significant step in shaping the future of youth governance in South Asia by leading the establishment and inaugural of the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance (CAYA). The initiative, officially launched during the CAYA Summit in Islamabad, is expected to strengthen regional collaboration on youth policies and elevate the role of young people in decision making processes.

The summit, attended by delegates from various Commonwealth nations, marked a turning point for youth engagement in the region. Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, during an in-person interview highlighted the importance of this development, emphasized that Pakistan has played a crucial role in bringing together a regional youth body that had been missing for years.

“The Asia region was the only one in the Commonwealth that did not have a formal youth alliance. Pakistan stepped up and made it happen,” Robinson told. “With the launch of CAYA young leaders from South Asia now have a structured platform to engage with regional bodies such as SAARC and ASEAN, ensuring that youth policies are shaped collectively and effectively.”

The government of Pakistan has demonstrated a commitment to youth empowerment by embedding youth policies at the highest levels of governance. Unlike many countries where youth ministries struggle for influence, Pakistan’s youth program is directly overseen by the Prime Minister’s Office, giving it substantial authority over critical sectors like education, trade, and technology.

This unique model allows for direct intervention in policymaking and enabling youth initiatives to move beyond token advisory roles. “With 70% of its population being young, Pakistan recognizes that youth governance must be more than just symbolic. But, it has to be actionable,” Robinson mentioned.

While the launch of CAYA has been widely celebrated, questions remain about its long-term effectiveness. Many youth initiatives globally exist primarily as advisory bodies, with limited influence on actual governance. Addressing this concern, Robinson stressed that CAYA must remain rooted in grassroots realities to avoid becoming another bureaucratic formality.

“The real test for CAYA will be in its ability to stay connected with young people at the grass roots level. If it turns into a body that only looks upwards, only engaging with governments but not the youth at local level it will lose its purpose,” he said.

To counter this, Robinson suggested that CAYA members should regularly report back to their communities, engage with provincial youth, and establish clear thematic working groups to address pressing issues such as political participation, climate change, unemployment, and the digital divide.

One of the major challenges facing South Asian youth is the widening digital divide. With growing disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as between different socio-economic groups, digital access remains a critical issue.

Robinson acknowledged that addressing this gap is a long-term effort but noted that Pakistan has already taken steps by launching a national youth portal. “The goal is to make sure every young person, regardless of their background, has access to equal opportunities at the click of a button. Technology must be utliised to bridge socio-economic barriers,” he said.

CAYA’s success will largely depends on how well it translates these discussions into action. The challenge lies in implementation on ground while ensuring that youth representatives are not merely advisors but also an active participant in policymaking and governance.

For Pakistan, leading this initiative is both an opportunity and a responsibility. As a country that has positioned itself at the forefront of regional youth politics, it must ensure that CAYA delivers tangible outcomes, and also paves the way for a more inclusive and empowered generation of young leaders across South Asia.

As the newly formed alliance begins its journey, all eyes will be on Pakistan to see whether it can turn its pioneering efforts into long lasting impact. The success of CAYA will not just shape the future of South Asian youth but it will redefine Pakistan’s role in regional governance and global youth diplomacy.

Ramna Saeed is a young journalist and digital media professional passionate about human rights, youth voices, gender equality, and digital advocacy. She has reported on critical issues, including mass surveillance, refugee rights, and women’s leadership, with bylines in Global Voices, Independent Urdu, Yeni Safak Urdu, BBC Urdu, and other media outlets. As the founder of She Leads Pakistan and a Diana Award recipient, she aims to amplify marginalised voices. Her ambition is to reshape Pakistan’s media landscape into a truth-seeking force through impactful storytelling.