Addis ababa: The recent wave of Gen Z protests worldwide is a wake-up call for governments to harness the power of youth and recognise them as equal participants in the political process, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. He emphasized that young people, both in Malaysia and globally, are adept at using digital tools and technology to advocate for greater participatory democracy and demand transparency and accountability from those in power.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted that the current wave of Gen Z protests in several countries underscores the significance of youth voices and their strong focus on good governance. He noted that their concerns are not limited to governance alone but also extend to issues like climate change, economic inequality, and human rights violations. Speaking at the Afro-Malaysia Youth Forum, Anwar applauded the youth’s push for policy initiatives aimed at addressing these pressing issues.
Anwar further emphasized the importance of youth engagement in global dialogues, which he believes fosters cross-cultural understanding and strengthens international cooperation. He stated that youth are key drivers of change and that society should leverage their energy, creativity, and drive. He urged global governments to see this as a call to action, to reform business practices, and to more effectively address the needs of the youth.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the challenges of declining trust in institutions, rising digital misinformation, and uneven political participation. He praised youth for stepping up as champions of transparency, civic responsibility, and inclusive policymaking. He mentioned that regional channels like the ASEAN Youth Dialogue and the African Union (AU) Youth Envoy mechanisms are already facilitating youth-led conversations on electoral participation, anti-corruption, and social inclusion. He proposed that deepening ASEAN-AU collaboration through exchanges between youth parliaments could provide young leaders with valuable insights and invigorate regional governance processes.
The forum, themed ‘Youth Partnership for Shared Prosperity,’ was co-organised by the Ethiopian Youth Council, Pan-Africa Youth Union, and the Malaysian Youth Council, and it attracted 250 participants. Notable attendees included Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergoge Tesfaye; Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, as well as the Embassy of Malaysia in Ethiopia Charg© d’Affaires Ad Interim, Mohd Afandi Abu Bakar.
Ethiopia marks Anwar’s first stop on his visit to the African continent. His three-day visit to the ‘Horn of Africa,’ which began on Nov 18, concludes today. Following his time in Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister will embark on a working visit to Johannesburg, South Africa, from Nov 20-23 to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit, and then to Nairobi, Kenya, from Nov 23-24.