Building inclusive and sustainable youth structure in Asia Pacific

Participants stressed that the youth structure must represent young unionists across South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, while ensuring gender balance and strong leadership. It was agreed that the sub-regional youth working groups (SAYWG) and the South East Asia and Pacific youth committee (SEA2PAC) will be phased out and will be integrated into APRYC by the end of 2027. Over the next year, the APRYC will make new proposals on the nomination and selection process. This will happen in consultation with IndustriALL Asia Pacific leadership. All APRYC members commit to continue actively advocating for the rights and interests of young workers.

Prior to the APRYC meeting, the sub-regional youth working groups conducted a meeting on 28 April. They met to discuss and decide what representation structure would best represent them at the Asia Pacific level. Both working groups concluded that the APRYC should be composed of five members from each sub youth structure. These would be two co-chairs, a secretary and two bureau heads.

The 10 APRYC members elected their youth official. They also decided that the co-chair would represent their region in the global youth committee:

• APRYC co-chair (woman): Jean Faye Daguman,
• APRYC co-chair (man): Bhanu Pratap Singh,
• APRYC secretary: Laura Cook.

Jean Faye Daguman, APRYC co-chair, said:

"Building an inclusive and sustainable youth structure in Asia Pacific means creating spaces where young workers are empowered to lead, organize and shape the future of the labour movement. I am committed to advancing just and equal representation, promoting evidence-based approaches and ensuring fairness in strengthening youth organizing and solidarity across the region."

Bhanu Pratap Singh, APRYC co-chair, said:

"Strong coordination among young workers across Asia Pacific is essential to building a united and forward-looking labour movement. I will help strengthen collaboration, develop new generations of youth leadership and create meaningful connections between young trade unionists across sectors and sub-regions so that collective action and solidarity can grow stronger throughout the region."

IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Christina Olivier, said:

"Young workers are not just the future, they are an important voice for change, bringing energy and a growing commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity. Building an inclusive youth structure in Asia Pacific helps to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are represented."