Sixteen Young Leaders Society members co-organised the Commonwealth CAYA Youth Summit 2025 in Islamabad alongside the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, resulting in the signing of the Islamabad Declaration for Youth.
Young Leaders Society played a pivotal organisational role in the CAYA (Commonwealth Asia Youth Assembly) Youth Summit 2025 held in Islamabad — the largest Commonwealth youth gathering in Pakistan's recent history.
16 dedicated Young Leaders Society members formed an integral part of the organising team alongside the Prime Minister's Youth Programme (PMYP), working alongside Youth Ministers from across the Commonwealth, representatives from the Commonwealth Secretariat, UNFPA, UNDP, and UNICEF.
The Summit's landmark outcome was the signing of the Islamabad Declaration for Youth — a transformative document that formalises youth participation in governance and decision-making processes across the Commonwealth Asia region.
The Declaration establishes concrete mechanisms for cross-border collaboration, enabling young leaders to collectively address global challenges ranging from climate change and digital inclusion to public health and economic inequality.
Manahil Zia, Director of Research & Development at Young Leaders Society, received formal recognition from Dr. Ali Malik for her outstanding contributions to the summit's research and policy streams. The Young Leaders Society team also engaged directly with international delegates including the Youth Minister of the Maldives.
The Commonwealth Secretariat's increased engagement with Islamabad positions Pakistani youth in regional leadership roles — a direct result of the relationships and credibility built by organisations like Young Leaders Society over the past five years.
Young Leaders Society will leverage the frameworks established through the Islamabad Declaration to:
Young Leaders Society invites Pakistan's young people to participate in building a more inclusive, youth-centric future — one summit, one chapter, and one leader at a time.