PUTRAJAYA, Nov 17 — The Asean+ Young Leaders Summit (AYLS 2015) to be held in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow is set to create history when it is organised simultaneously with the 27th Asean Summit and Related Summits, said Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said that in the past the annual event was held separately from the Asean Summit or several months earlier.

As the organiser, the Youth and Sports Ministry made the change to allow young leaders to experience the atmosphere of the Asean Summit and to bring the group closer to the sole association grouping the Southeast Asian countries, he said.

“As Chairman of Asean, we want to take full advantage, so we included the AYLS in the Asean Summit and Related Summits,” he told Bernama.

Khairy said AYLS 2015, with its theme of ‘Youth Driving the Asean Community’, would be held for three days from November 18 at the Putra World Trade Centre and would be opened by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Khairy, who is also Umno Youth chief, said 300 youths — 120 from Malaysia, and 180 from the other Asean member countries as well as dialogue partners Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Canada, the United States and the European Union — would take part in AYSL 2015. 

Khairy said the theme of AYLS 2015 was most appropriate because 60 per cent of the Asean population comprised youths aged 35 years and younger. 

“In line with the aspiration of ‘Youth Driving the Asean Community’, youths are the most important and valuable assets to Asean, especially to realise all the visions and missions outlined in the Asean Community framework,” said Khairy.

On the summit, Khairy said it was the best platform for youths to get to know each other, especially to think about the future of this region from every angle and to make the Asean Community a success.

“The most important thing is cooperation and relations, not just among youths of the Asean nations but also dialogue partners as it could open up opportunities for collaboration,” he said.

Khairy said the participants of AYLS 2015 would be divided into several groups to discuss four major scopes — leadership, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, as well as education and employment.

“All these scopes or sectors are crucial and close to the youths, besides being major challenges to them and to Asean,” he said.

He said AYSL 2015 would feature several notable personalities, among them former International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz; AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes as well as United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Ahmed Alhendawi.

Khairy said AYLS 2015 promised a difference from previous years as the participants would not just brainstorm ideas and suggestions to develop this region but would also undertake community service.

He said the community service would be held with the cooperation of 13 non-governmental organisations in various areas such as the Biji-Biji Initiative; the Perdana Global Leadership Foundation; the Captain Hussein Leadership Academy; and the Eco Greater Melawati.

He said that by the end of AYLS 2015, a manifesto containing proposals and demands to develop the young and this region would be drawn up and submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the Chairman of Asean for the consideration of the leaders at the 27th Asean Summit on Nov 21 and 22.

“I hope the manifesto will be something different and will specifically state what is needed and not be too general a document,” Khairy said, adding that his ministry would monitor each proposal with the Asean Secretariat. — Bernama