On 28 November, Moin ul Haque, the Pakistani Ambassador to China, delivered a keynote speech at the Health, Medical, and Charity Forum of the Aisa Youth Leaders Forum 2021.

Respected leaders, Excellencies, Distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen, 

Good morning and ni hao. It is a matter of great honour for me to participate today in the Asia Youth Leaders Forum, I would like to extend heartiest felicitations to China Public Diplomacy Association, China Foundation for Peace and Development, People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality, and Asia Youth Leaders Association for organizing today’s event and bringing us all together today. 

Distinguished friends, 

Asia has played a perpetual role in shaping the world’s political, economic, and cultural landscape. Since ancient times, this great continent remained a cradle of human civilization and always inspired new ideas and inventions. Asia’s flat plains and rivers and valleys radiated with wisdom, knowledge, and learning, opening new horizons for a great multitude of humanity.

The 21st century is the Asian century. Asia has definitely resumed its role in the global economics, and politics is undergoing profound transformation. By 2050 Asia is expected to account for more than half of the global economy, thus restoring the world’s largest continent to its former position of economic primacy and cultural brilliance. Asia’s strength rests in its young leaders who have left a blazing trail of great achievements and diverse feats of human endeavors. Asian youth have dazzled the world with the unconquerable spirit, innovative genius, and entrepreneurial skills. The great transformation they have brought to their respective countries is laudable and assure to us that Asia’s march of progress and prosperity would continue unabated.

Dear friends, 

Pakistan is situated in the cross roads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. It is the birth place of ancient civilizations which had made major contributions to the growth of Asian art, philosophy, and literature. Pakistan is one of the youngest countries in the world with 64% of total population below the age of thirty, and 29% between the ages of fifteen to twenty-nine years old. In our nation building process, youth play a key role in keeping alive time-honoured traditions and making new contributions for national growth and prosperity. Amidst unprecedented changes taking place around us, and accelerated by the covid-19 pandemic, Pakistani youth along with their counterparts in other Asian countries are ready to maintain the treasure of dialogue and diplomacy which is a proud treasure of Asian civilization.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Young people are the true ambassadors of Asian countries. They are assets, most valued assets. The ideas of today will translate into actions of tomorrow, shaping the destiny of our continent. As the agents of change and innovation, I would dare to call upon our youth to study deeply the history of Asia; understand the true meaning of Asian spirit; and play their role in the peace, progress, and prosperity of the entire region. As the architects of our common future, I am sure that our young leaders will keep doors ajar for fresh breeze of new ideas and initiatives, and will not build artificial walls of doubt and divisiveness among humanity. This is the trust that history has placed on them. I thank you all.