The World Bank Group is set to host the highly anticipated East Asia and Pacific Youth Forum 2026, themed #FutureMakers: Youth Driving Jobs, bringing together young leaders, policymakers, business executives, development partners, and global experts to discuss the future of employment in the digital era.
This major international forum is designed to empower young people across the East Asia and Pacific region by helping them understand emerging job trends, gain practical insights into digital transformation, explore entrepreneurship opportunities, and build meaningful professional networks.
As economies continue evolving rapidly due to artificial intelligence, automation, and technological innovation, the forum serves as a strategic platform for preparing the next generation of youth to thrive in the changing labor market.
About the East Asia and Pacific Youth Forum 2026
The East Asia and Pacific Youth Forum is a large-scale regional event focused on addressing one of the most urgent issues facing young people today: the future of jobs.
The forum seeks to equip youth with:
- Knowledge about labor market trends
- Skills needed for future careers
- Opportunities for collaboration and innovation
- Access to global conversations on employment and digital transformation
The 2026 edition places strong emphasis on:
- Digital innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- AI-powered jobs
- Skills development
- Employment pathways
- Youth-led solutions
Event Date
20 – 21 May 2026 (ET)
Event Format
The forum will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing participants to join:
- Virtually from anywhere in the world
- In-person through designated event locations
Registered participants will receive livestream details closer to the event date.
The Growing Jobs Challenge in East Asia and Pacific
One of the key highlights of the forum is its focus on the region’s widening employment gap.
According to the event information:
- More than 320 million young people across East Asia and Pacific are expected to enter the workforce over the next decade
- Only about 110 million jobs are projected to be available
This creates a gap of approximately 210 million job opportunities, posing significant economic and social challenges across the region.
The forum aims to tackle these concerns by encouraging dialogue, innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions that can support sustainable youth employment.
What Participants Can Expect
The Youth Forum 2026 offers an engaging and highly interactive experience designed for emerging leaders and changemakers.
1. Understanding the Future Job Landscape
Participants will gain valuable insights into:
- The future of work in East Asia and Pacific
- How digital transformation is reshaping industries
- Opportunities and risks in AI-driven economies
- Emerging career pathways for youth
2. Interactive Learning Sessions
The forum will feature:
- Skills development workshops
- Entrepreneurship discussions
- Career readiness sessions
- Digital transformation training
- Collaborative problem-solving activities
These sessions will be led by:
- Partner organizations
- Industry leaders
- Government representatives
- Development experts
- World Bank Group specialists
3. Networking Opportunities
Attendees will have opportunities to:
- Connect with peers from across the region
- Meet professionals and business leaders
- Engage with policymakers and development experts
- Share ideas and innovative solutions
Networking sessions are expected to help young participants build relationships that could support future collaborations, careers, and entrepreneurial ventures.
4. Exploring Digital and AI-Powered Careers
A major focus of the event is the role of technology in creating employment opportunities.
Participants will explore:
- AI-driven job opportunities
- Digital entrepreneurship
- Technology-enabled employment pathways
- Skills needed for the digital economy
- Apprenticeships and innovation ecosystems
Why This Forum Matters
The East Asia and Pacific Youth Forum is more than just a conference—it is a platform for youth empowerment and policy dialogue.
The event is important because it:
- Addresses the growing youth unemployment crisis
- Encourages youth participation in economic transformation
- Promotes scalable employment solutions
- Supports entrepreneurship and innovation
- Bridges skills gaps through digital learning
It also creates opportunities for youth voices to influence regional conversations on jobs, education, and economic development.
Connection to the World Bank Global Youth Summit
The event also serves as a lead-up initiative to the World Bank Group Global Youth Summit, scheduled for: 11 – 12 June 2026
This connection expands opportunities for participants to remain engaged in global youth development conversations beyond the regional forum.
Who Should Attend?
The forum is ideal for:
- Students
- Young professionals
- Entrepreneurs
- Youth leaders
- Innovators
- Career seekers
- Individuals interested in digital transformation and future jobs
Participants interested in entrepreneurship, technology, workforce development, and social impact will particularly benefit from the event.
Virtual Participation and Registration
The event offers virtual participation options, making it accessible to participants from different countries and backgrounds.
Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure participation access.
Registration Link: Click here
Benefits of Participating
Participants can benefit from:
- Exposure to global employment trends
- Learning from industry and policy experts
- Enhanced understanding of future career opportunities
- Networking with regional and international stakeholders
- Insights into entrepreneurship and innovation
- Access to discussions on AI and digital jobs
Final Thoughts
The World Bank East Asia and Pacific Youth Forum 2026 represents a timely and impactful opportunity for young people to prepare for the future workforce.
As technology continues transforming economies globally, youth must adapt, innovate, and lead. Through interactive learning, networking, entrepreneurship discussions, and policy engagement, the forum aims to empower participants with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Young changemakers across the region and beyond should strongly consider participating in this transformative event.
For more information, click HERE
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