Afghanistan-China-Pakistan Youth Forum launched to enhance connectivity

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Afghanistan-China-Pakistan Youth Forum (ACFYF) was launched this week to enhance connectivity.

The ACFYF launching ceremony was organized by the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD) in collaboration with China Study Center, University of Peshawar, Nangarhar University Afghanistan and Fudan University China with the support of embassy of People’s Republic of China in Pakistan.

Wang Shengjie Director of Political Section Embassy of People’s Republic of China said that youth must focus on future and play a constructive role.

He offered to create a new group of youth for close interaction and to deliberate on future course of action. Prof Mohammad Dost Safi on behalf of Vice Chancellor of Nangarhar University appreciated the efforts of all organizers, especially the China embassy.

He was of the view that Afghan youth has immense potential and they needed such opportunities to express their talent. He also urged all to help Afghan youth for attaining higher education and skills.

Dr Zahid Anwer from the University of Peshawar remarked that they were looking forward for meaningful collaboration and appropriate opportunities to help young generation to pursue their dreams. We have joined hand with the AIERD, Fudan University and Nangarhar University to guide and assist the youth for playing a positive role in the regional connectivity and development.

Zhang Ji, Assistant Dean of School of International Relations and Public Affairs and Director of Center for International People-to-People Exchange, Fudan University highlighted China’s commitment for people-people exchange and shared that it has become third pillar of engagement in addition to political and economic cooperation.

China is also committed for the youth development, not only in China but also in other parts of the world, he added.

Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman AIERD, underscored that inclusion or exclusion of youth will determine the future, success or failure of the regional connectivity and governance, as youth was the custodian of the future.

Regional connectivity supported by appropriate governance will help to introduce rapid economic growth and development, he maintained.

Later seven students from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan shared their point of view on the topics of, Chinese perspective on China-Pakistan-Afghanistan People-to People Exchange, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Regional connectivity, governance, green development China-Europe Railway Express and its connection to Af-Pak Region and China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Medical cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It was heartening to note that youth showed great enthusiasm to play a constructive role for regional connectivity and governance.

Zhang Jiegen, Executive Director, Pakistan Study Centre, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University, Dr Azam Khan, Director, CPEC-Agriculture Cooperation Center, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and Hijratullah Kareemi, Professor, Teachers Training College Jalalabad, Afghanistan delivered concluding remarks. They emphasized on youth to play a constructive role in national development and regional connectivity.

Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, Chief Executive officer (CEO) AIERD closed the event by saying, “lets trust youth to deliver a peaceful and prosper future and I am sure youth will not disappoint the region and world.”