Mineser of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad underscored the importance of adopting a balanced and forward-looking approach to emerging issues, including the role of digital technologies, to support youth well-being and development, during the Southeast Asia Ministerial Meeting on Youth and Sports 2026, in Bali, Indonesia, from May 3-5.
The meeting, led by Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir, aimed to provide a high-level dialogue platform for modernising the regional sports ecosystem and building a resilient youth generation.
Themed around ‘Strengthening SEA Youth Collaboration and Sports Diplomacy for a Resilient Future’, the meeting focused on regional policy alignment to maximise future potential in the fields of youth and sports.
The meeting brought together regional leaders through three strategic roundtable sessions focusing on youth resilience, sports development and the professionalisation of sports ecosystems.
In advancing sports development, the minister of culture, youth and sports expressed support for initiatives that elevate regional sporting standards, while preserving and promoting traditional sports as part of ASEAN’s shared heritage, and further enhancing their potential to generate commercial value and wider economic benefits. On the professionalisation of sports ecosystems, the minister noted that Brunei welcomes collaborative regional initiatives and highlighted the importance of greater coordination to strengthen athlete participation and development across member states.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the Bali Declaration on Youth and Sports 2026, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing youth development and sports excellence in Southeast Asia.
The meeting was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting on Youth and Sports on May 3.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi also attended a bilateral meeting with Indonesia’s minister of youth and sports.
Accompanying the minister were senior officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. – Daniel Lim
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin