PAN-AFRICAN YOUTHS AMBASSADORS NETWORK (PAYAN) COMMEMORATES INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2026 AND PARTICIPATES IN THE YOUTH AND AI SUMMIT IN NEW YORK CITY

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12 August 2026 | New York City, United States of America

The Pan-African Youths Ambassadors Network (PAYAN) proudly joins young people, governments, civil society organizations, development partners and youth leaders across Africa and around the world in commemorating **International Youth Day 2026.

This year’s celebration, themed around Youth and AI, provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the transformative role of young people in shaping the future of technology, governance, human rights, peace, security, creativity, employment and sustainable development.

PAYAN is particularly honoured to have participated in the Youth and AI Summit held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, bringing together young leaders, policymakers, diplomats, civil society representatives, academics and technology stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence.

The sessions addressed critical issues including AI, Youth and Governance; Different Contexts and the AI Trust Gap; AI, Human Rights, Peace and Security; AI and the Creative Industries; the Future of the Workforce and Capacity Building; AI for Civil Society; and the presentation of the Youth-led Declaration and Key Messages.

As a Pan-African youth-focused network, PAYAN recognizes that Africa’s young population must not merely be consumers of emerging technologies but active participants, innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs and leaders in the development and responsible use of AI.

We therefore call for greater investment in digital skills, youth innovation, ethical AI, inclusive technology, education, entrepreneurship, decent employment and meaningful youth participation in decision-making processes. African young people must have a seat at the table where decisions about the continent’s technological future are being made.

APPRECIATION

PAYAN extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to yesterday’s meeting and to today’s International Youth Day conference and Youth and AI Summit. Your commitment, ideas, participation and encouragement continue to strengthen the global youth movement.

We specially appreciate and acknowledge the distinguished speakers, moderators, youth representatives, diplomats, institutions and partners featured in today’s programme, including:

* Samara, Moderator

* H.E. Amb. Stan Smith, Permanent Mission of The Bahamas

* Permanent Mission of Dominica

* H.E. Gov. Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Balochistan, Pakistan

* Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General, UN Youth Office

* Ali Mustafa, Founder & CEO, International Organization of Youth (IOY)

* Yugratna Srivastava, MGCY

* Ursula Wynhoven, Director & Representative to the UN, ITU

* Quintin Chou-Lambert, Chief of Staff / AI Lead, UN ODET

* Yu Ping Chan, UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub

* Enes Guven, Moderator, IOY

* Joao Felipe Scarpelini, UNFPA

* Neil Maru, UN Office of Counter-Terrorism

* Jiyoon Kim, DPPA-DPO

* Uzair Hasan, Maxum Foundation

* Kelly Crisp, Moderator

* Darius Van Arman, CEO, Secretly Group and Co-Chair, Merlin

* Katrine Øgaard Jensen, American Literary Translators Association

* Tanveer Ahmed, Maxum Foundation

* Xan Northcott, Permanent Mission of the UAE

* Shakhnoza Kayumova, UMass Dartmouth

* Stephanie Thrasher, Winifli

PAYAN also acknowledges the International Organization of Youth (IOY) and all collaborating institutions, missions, organizations, youth networks and individuals whose contributions made the programme meaningful and impactful.

We salute every young person who participated in the conversations, shared ideas, asked difficult questions and advocated for a future where technology serves humanity and leaves no young person behind.

OUR COMMITMENT

As we celebrate International Youth Day, PAYAN reaffirms its commitment to Pan-African youth leadership, inclusion, innovation, peace, human rights, sustainable development and meaningful youth participation in global affairs.

Africa’s youth are not simply the leaders of tomorrow. We are leaders today, and we must be empowered to shape the future we want.

PAYAN looks forward to strengthening partnerships emerging from this important gathering and translating the lessons and commitments of the Youth and AI Summit into meaningful action across Africa.

Happy International Youth Day 2026!

Youth. Innovation. Leadership. Africa’s Future.

Signed:

Chinwendu Chinonyerem Emmanuel (NONYE DIGITAL CONCEPT)

Pan-African Youths Ambassadors Network (PAYAN)

For Youth Leadership, Pan-African Unity and Sustainable Development

Written by

NONYE DIGITAL CONCEPT

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