Young entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region came together on July 17, 2026, in Manila, Philippines, for the ASEAN Youth Action Agenda Roundtable Discussion, a pre-event of the ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2026. The gathering provided young leaders with a platform to share their experiences, identify challenges, and develop practical recommendations for strengthening youth entrepreneurship across ASEAN. The discussions sought to transform young people’s voices and aspirations into meaningful actions for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable region.
The roundtable brought together representatives from government, the private sector, academia, civil society, and youth organizations. Opening the discussion, Mr. Patrick Chua, executive director of ASEAN-BAC Philippines, emphasized the important role young people already play in ASEAN’s economy, noting that youth make up more than 60 percent of the region’s population. He encouraged participants to use the opportunity to shape the Philippines’ ASEAN Chair legacy through solutions that reflect their ideas and aspirations.
Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona of the Department of Trade and Industry stressed the importance of collaboration between government, the private sector, academia, and youth. She highlighted the Youth Action Agenda as an opportunity to translate insights from young people into concrete actions that can help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ambitions into successful enterprises.
Putting Youth Voices at the Center
During the first session, Mr. Kier S. Aventurado, director for Youth Development of Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines, presented key findings from the #AYES2026 Youth Survey. The presentation highlighted the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of young entrepreneurs across ASEAN.
Participants were encouraged to look beyond simply identifying problems and instead develop realistic actions that respond to the lived experiences of young people. The discussion emphasized the importance of building an ASEAN where every young person has a fair opportunity to start, grow, and succeed.
Dr. Mohsen Gul, policy specialist for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship at the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, further emphasized the need to create opportunities for young people who remain unheard and unseen. His session, From Margins to Mainstream: Inclusive Youth
Entrepreneurship in the Asia-Pacific, highlighted the importance of ensuring that support and opportunities reach young people whose realities are often left out of decision-making spaces.
From Training to Sustainable Enterprise
The roundtable also explored practical pathways for young people to move from learning and training to sustainable entrepreneurship. Ms. Ricel Carbinilla of the Department of Trade and Industry highlighted the Youth Entrepreneurship Program and its role in providing accessible opportunities, capacity building, and support to aspiring entrepreneurs. The discussion recognized that training is only the beginning and that young entrepreneurs also need continued support to build sustainable enterprises.
Agriculture and entrepreneurship were also explored as important areas of opportunity for young people. Mr. Romar Padrigal of the Young Farmers Challenge Program highlighted the potential of technology, food innovation, digital media, and entrepreneurship to transform perceptions of agriculture and create new opportunities for young agripreneurs.
Mr. Paul Anthony De Guzman, programs manager of Go Negosyo, introduced Youthpreneur and highlighted the importance of mentorship, innovation, and business development. The session reinforced the value of collaboration among government, the private sector, and educational institutions, while emphasizing that success should ultimately be reflected in growing businesses, increased investment, and jobs created.
Turning Ideas into Action
The workshop synthesis, led by Mr. Miguel Lopez, senior adviser for Youth of ASEAN-BAC Philippines, brought together the insights generated throughout the sessions. Delegates worked in breakout groups to identify key challenges, share experiences, and develop practical recommendations for strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem for ASEAN youth.
During the plenary session, delegates presented the outcomes of their discussions, turning their ideas into actionable recommendations. The process reinforced a central message of the gathering: young people should not only be consulted about their future but should be active contributors to shaping policies and solutions that affect their lives.
A significant milestone was reached with the official adoption of the Youth Action Agenda by ASEAN-BAC Philippines, together with Global Peace Foundation Philippines, SM Cares, DTI-BSMED, Go Negosyo, ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council, ASEAN Youth Organization, and Young Farmers Challenge. More than a document, the agenda represents the collective voices, ideas, and aspirations of young entrepreneurs across the region. Its adoption marks a shared commitment to expanding inclusive opportunities for young people and advancing sustainable economic growth across ASEAN.
Empowering Youth for Sustainability and Peace
For Global Peace Foundation Philippines, the Youth Action Agenda reflects the importance of empowering young people to lead, collaborate, and turn ideas into action. By bringing young entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers into meaningful conversations with institutions and partners, the initiative contributes to building communities where young people can actively participate in creating a more inclusive, innovative, sustainable, and peaceful region.
