The 14th Commonwealth Youth Forum has opened in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, with a call on governments and young leaders to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that improve the lives of young people.

Over 300 youth delegates from five Commonwealth regions are attending the three-day event, which began on November 2 at the University of the West Indies, Five Islands Campus.

The forum, with the theme, “Investing in Youth Agency: Co-Creating Pathways Towards Shared Prosperity,” is part of activities leading up to the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Opening the event, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General for Programmes, Tanmaya Lal, said young people had the creativity and ideas to drive change but often lacked access to opportunities, networks and investment.

He urged delegates to develop practical recommendations that could influence discussions among Commonwealth leaders.

The first day featured discussions and workshops on youth participation in governance, digital skills, artificial intelligence, climate action and access to funding for youth-led businesses.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Senator Shenella Govia, said hosting the forum reflected the country’s commitment to making young people active contributors to decisions affecting their future.

She added that the event would provide an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, promote youth leadership and turn discussions into lasting action.

Meanwhile, the forum’s taskforce co-chairs, Neema Sheikh Abdikadir Abdullahi and Donte Walter, said young people were ready to move beyond conversations and take practical steps towards addressing challenges in their communities.

Participants also discussed the need to amplify the experiences of people with disabilities and ensure excluded groups have access to opportunities.

A session on innovation and future economies also explored how young entrepreneurs could access funding, build investment networks and grow their businesses, with Caribbean Development Bank President Daniel Best participating in the discussion.

The forum, which runs until November 4, is expected to produce recommendations for Commonwealth leaders, with delegates encouraged to implement the outcomes in their respective countries.