MALAYSIA AFFIRMS VITAL IMPORTANCE OF MULTILATERAL COOPERATION IN ADRESSING YOUTH CHALLENGES

From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail

KAZAN (TATARSTAN), May 16 (Bernama)  --  Malaysia affirms the vital importance and crucial role of multilateral cooperation in addressing the evolving challenges faced by youth, especially within the Islamic world.

As such, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for inclusive efforts from all sectors of society to support youth development, as a cornerstone of nation-building and economic growth.

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Anwar said this in his keynote address at the Strategic Vision Group Meeting: Russia- Islamic World (KazanForum 2025), themed Experience of Russia and the Islamic World in Youth Policy: Common Challenges and Joint Actions.

Anwar said the younger generation should also not be exposed to the extreme differences of opinions among Muslim scholars and ulama.

“Our youth cannot witness their leaders, the ulama, having continuous rancorous exchanges on their differences. Nor can they be left to despair over crises like Gaza.

“Our youth must be given hope and opportunity...we must present them with a vision rooted in unity, values, and integrity,” he said.

Anwar also highlighted the need for leaders and ulama to rise above differences and instil trust, as well as the right character and correct values in young people, saying that there is a deficit in these qualities within modern political and geopolitical discourse.

He said Malaysia addresses these concerns through its MADANI framework, which balances economic advancement, including in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and energy transition, with values-based governance.

“We say to our youth: we have high hopes for you. You must be empowered to participate effectively in shaping our future,” Anwar stated.

Anwar also said he a fruitful engagement with President Vladimir Putin earlier in Moscow, and Putin made a clear message and emphasis that encouraging countries particularly, Malaysia, to support the KazanForum to ensure that the Russian Federation and Tatarstan continue to engage in a fruitful manner for the development, peace, economic sustainability, and of course for inclusiveness. 

“I therefore commend these efforts. It’s time that our scholars and leaders view this proactively and positively. There has been enough despair among our youth,” he said. 

The Kazan Forum 2025 marked the highlight of Anwar's official visit to the Russian Federation on its final day. KazanForum serves as a key platform for fostering economic cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries.

-- BERNAMA