ASIAN YOUTH COUNCIL EXCO MEETING
SPEECH BY DATO’ SRI DR. KHIR TOYO
PRESIDENT , ASIAN YOUTH COUNCIL
18 May 2014
Manila, Philippine
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Although this is a farewell dinner, I don’t see our gathering tonight as a goodbye. I strongly believe that we will be seeing more of each other in the spirit of One Asia in our future engagements.
Looking back, we need to be proud of ourselves of how much we have achieved.
During AYC’s meeting in 2006 in Batam, Indonesia, we have unanimously agreed to follow and implement the Batam Declaration which calls for the promotion of the Millennium Development Goals and their related issues among young people in Asia.
Last year, in 2013, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the Asian Youth Council agreed on the Phnom Penh Declaration, which calls on the emphasis of peace and education. The AYC commits to cherish the values of peace and call for the closest cooperation among Asian Youths to raise public awareness on the cost, suffering, destruction, tears, bloodshed and the loss of loves that comes with war, instability and conflict. In this regards, we praise the efforts made by every nation in building peace and reconciliation.
Here in Manila we continue to discuss Post 2015 development agenda: Prospect and Challenges which focuses on education, health, employment and participation in decision making. The ideas, hope, ambition was voiced by our youth representatives from various countries. What was presented earlier today in the workshops should be escalated to the government, for them to listen to, to take action because these are the voices of the future.
Personally, I would like to congratulate each and every participant of the Asian Youth Forum for coming up with the Manifesto of Commitment. The Asian Youth Council will carry this manifesto to the highest level in Asian leadership.
Moving forward, in our next meeting in September in Mongolia, we will focus on the theme: “Youth and unity: youth roles in reducing inequality”.
Let us develop a framework for post 2015 development agenda for the Millennium Development Goals. The past few days, we have shared with you milestones of the MDGs, facts and statistics, and although positive development has been achieved, there are still many areas that need to be addressed.
Let us keep the momentum going to continuously build a better world for the future.
Dear friends and young inspiring leaders,
Sometimes we may feel that the road is ever too winding, and that the battle is too challenging, because we cannot see the success just yet. But we all need to remember that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Have faith. Take the first step in faith, you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
I know that it is not an easy feat, and no nation can do it on its own. Let us all leverage on the existing network and cooperation that we have built today, let us all work together for a better Asia.
Friends of the Asian Youth Council,
I would like to thank the Chairman of NYC, Mr. Leon Flores III, Commissioner at Large and National Organizing Chairperson AYC, Mr. Gregorio Ramon Thingson for their support and cooperation. Without their contributions, the One Asia Youth Forum and Asian Youth Council Executive Committee Meeting will not be possible. Thank you to all members of the NYC, for their hard work and commitment the past few days, ensuring that the program runs smoothly.
As the President of AYC, I would like to apologize for any shortcomings and I am looking forward to see all of you again next year.
Once again, thank you very much, Maraming Salamat.
I hope to see you all soon.
