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Permanent Mission of India
New York
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4 World Programme of Action for Youth at 30: Accelerating global progress
through intergenerational collaboration

Statement by Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports)
25 September, 2025

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

  1. Our discussion today – on ensuring full, effective, and meaningful youth participation – is central to realizing the vision of the World Programme of Action for Youth.

  2. India, home to the largest youth population in the world, believes young people are not passive beneficiaries but essential co-creators of our shared future. Yet, challenges remain – particularly in ensuring that no youth is left behind amidst rapid social, economic, and technological change.

  3. Today’s youth are reshaping society. From political activism to digital innovation, from mental health awareness to climate action – their engagement is dynamic. In India, over 99% of youth aged 15–29 are digitally connected, using tools like UPI for financial inclusion. Yet, access alone is not enough.

  4. To harness this potential, India launched Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) in 2023 – a digital platform that now connects over 17.7 million youth with real-time opportunities for volunteering, skilling, and leadership. From cyber awareness to community service, this platform turns intent into impact.

  5. India also celebrates the success of Startup India, which in just nine years has fostered over 159,000 recognized startups, making India the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. Youth are not just joining the workforce – they are creating it.

  6. At the same time, structural gaps remain, including disguised unemployment and skills mismatch. The National Career Service portal and the Skill India Programme, through schemes like PMKVY 4.0 (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) and PM-NAPS (Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme), are helping bridge these divides by offering jobs, apprenticeships and career guidance.

  7. To prepare youth for the future of work, India launched YUVAi – a vernacular-accessible AI skilling program. Free online courses in Python and machine learning have empowered thousands, particularly from rural and non-English-speaking backgrounds.

  8. The message is clear: AI will not replace youth – but those who embrace it will lead. Empathy-driven roles in health, education, and crisis response remain irreplaceable, and hybrid roles that combine human judgment with AI tools will define the future. India’s focus on experiential learning reflects this: from grassroots volunteerism through National Service Scheme to civil defence initiatives under MY Bharat, youth are learning by doing.

  9. Participation must be institutional, not symbolic. Under our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, platforms like the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue and Youth Parliament brought millions of young voices into national policy discourse. Yuva Connect mobilized youth influencers to foster community engagement.

  10. India’s experience highlights key lessons:
  • Institutionalize youth participation in governance, not just events.
  • Blend digital access with on-ground inclusion to reach all communities.
  • Promote experiential learning through service.
  • Embed intergenerational collaboration as shared practice, not parallel tracks.
  1. As we mark 30 years of WPAY, remember, the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Let’s inspire the next generation to dream big and lead boldly.

Thank you.