A virtual online gathering, hosted by Nepal, has been held to mark the 21st United Nations' International Youth Day (IYD). The China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) was invited to participate in the videoconference, which marked an important step forward for Asian youth exchange.

Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, speaks at the videoconference.

Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, attended the event and spoke highly of IYD's active role. He said that the event has demonstrated the confidence of the international community in terms of defeating the pandemic, overcoming the crisis, and injecting vitality into global development.

Oli acknowledged Nepal's achievements in youth work and said he felt honored to receive the Future Policy Award, which was granted by the World Youth Council for the formulation and implementation of youth-friendly policies and programs. The Nepali government will continue to support youth development and will coordinate 7.6 billion Nepali rupees ($64.86 million) to help young people acquire knowledge and skills, he added.

Zhang Hua, Deputy Director of CIYEC, said that IYD's various themes reflect the diversity and extent of youth development as well as the complexity of contemporary youth issues.

Noting that South Asia is an important part of the political and economic structure of Asia and the world at large, Zhang said that there are good prospects for cooperation between China and South Asia. He also said he hoped that the youth of both sides will strengthen communication and cooperation, learn from each other, seek mutual benefits, and work together to create a new model of international cooperation for youth development.

Valerie Julliand, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, speaks at the event.

Jagat Bahadur Sunar Bishwakarma, Nepal's Minister for Youth and Sports, presided over the event, and shared the country's experiences in promoting international youth exchanges. He indicated that Nepal will further strengthen cooperation with China in the youth sector.

Zahid Ahsan Russel, State Minister of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh, Akhter Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh, Theshara Jayasinghe, Chairman of the National Youth Services Council of Sri Lanka, and Valerie Julliand, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, delivered speeches during the videoconference.

Nepalese youth representatives exchange their opinions on youth issues during the event.

During the event, 25 Nepalese youth representatives and 15 invited guests expressed their different perspectives on the IYD and the links between youth and sustainable development.

The event attracted more than 30,000 online viewers.