There was a well-represented cross section Sri Lanka's youth at the National Consultation on the SAARC Youth Charter, which took place at the United Nations Conference room on the 11th of March 2014.The consultation was attended by youth from UN organizations such as UNESCO and UNV as well as other important youth organizations such as YPEER and the IYTF.

The consultation was also supported by the UNFPA and Mr. Alain Sibenaler, UNFPA representative, delivered the welcome address. Mr. Sibenaler states that the outcome declaration of the World Conference on Youth provides an opportunity to make the SAARC youth charter even stronger. He also mentioned that the SAARC youth charter is another opportunity for Sri Lanka to implement its national youth policy. Mr. Gamini Wanasekera, assistant representative of UNFPA also made an introductory statement about the SAARC charter.

The Ministry of external Affairs expressed their thanks to the support received from UNFPA in drafting the SAARC Youth Charter, which was said to be”crucial to tune into the needs of youth in the region”. Ms. Nilanthi Sugathadasa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, said that they are busy getting ready for the WCY2014, during SAARC Youth Consultation.

The consultation was an overall success, with a lot of stimulating and diverse dialogue expressed and exchanged between the youth that attended.