#YouthLead Dialogue: Lao Youth Shaping the Future

convened the #YouthLead Dialogue: Lao Youth Shaping the Future. Timed to coincide with a landmark year—the 70th anniversary of Lao PDR’s membership in the United Nations (LaoUN70), the 80th anniversary of the UN, and the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY30)—the Dialogue provided a national platform for young people to reflect on progress, share innovative practices, and connect their voices to the global youth agenda. 

Importantly, the event took place on the same dates as the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth on 25 September 2025 in New York, during UNGA 80 to reinforce Lao youth’s voice in the broader UN youth agenda.  

The Dialogue brought together youth representatives from UN-supported initiatives, namely UNICEF, UNFPA and UNRCO the LYU, national youth networks, and the private sector. Panelists spoke on diverse themes including sustainable urbanization, climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, gender equality, health, and child rights.  Discussions were moderated by 2 students from the Asian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) and broadcast live on Lao Youth Radio, expanding the reach to audiences beyond the capital. 

Four key themes emerged: 

• Youth Engagement: The need to equip youth with skills, employment opportunities, and access to health services, while ensuring their voices are reflected in policymaking. Peer-to-peer learning and youth-led initiatives were highlighted as powerful ways to strengthen leadership and accountability.
• Intergenerational Cooperation: Youth innovation and digital skills, combined with the experience of older generations, were recognized as mutually reinforcing strengths. Dialogue emphasized the need to avoid age-based discrimination and foster knowledge exchange across generations.
• Youth Leadership and Innovation: Young people expressed readiness to lead start-ups, integrate technology, and generate solutions. At the same time, they called for mentorship, guidance on mental health, and stronger private-sector engagement to open doors and model good practices.
• Resources and Investment: Inclusive and innovative education, youth learning centers, and expanded career opportunities—particularly for rural youth and those with disabilities—were seen as essential. Addressing barriers such as child marriage and economic hardship was recognized as critical to reducing dropouts and enabling long-term development. 

The Dialogue also surfaced challenges through interactive Q&A. Rural youth noted difficulties in accessing opportunities despite having skills, underscoring the importance of outreach via volunteer networks and digital platforms. Financial barriers and limited motivation were cited as reasons for school dropout, with participants emphasizing the need for awareness-raising among parents and role models to demonstrate the value of education. Volunteerism was debated, with youth affirming that the experience, friendships, networks and confidence gained can outweigh financial incentives, provided their contributions are properly valued. 

The impact was clear. The Dialogue amplified youth perspectives in connection with LaoUN70 and WPAY30, showcased youth-led solutions, and generated concrete recommendations to strengthen participation in policymaking, SDG implementation, and Lao PDR’s LDC graduation process. It reinforced partnerships between youth, the UN system, and national stakeholders, signaling that Lao youth are not only beneficiaries but co-creators of the country’s sustainable development agenda.  

Looking ahead, participants called for sustained intergenerational dialogue, stronger mentorship programmes, and investment in inclusive education and health services. They also urged closer collaboration with the private sector and civil society to expand employment pathways and leadership opportunities. 

The Dialogue reinforced Lao PDR’s alignment with the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), underscoring the need to integrate its priority areas into SDG 2030 implementation at both national and local levels. It connected national youth voices to global discussions, highlighting Lao PDR as a model for advancing WPAY in LDC transition contexts through sustained commitment, investment, and accountability. 

The #YouthLead Dialogue concluded with a collective commitment: to ensure that Lao youth are not only beneficiaries but also leaders and partners in shaping the country’s sustainable future.