Regional Youth-Led Networks Launch Strategic Plan for Young Key Populations in Asia - Pacific

Bangkok, 15 July 2025, Youth LEAD, Youth Voices Count (YVC), and Y-PEER Asia Pacific have officially launched the Asia-Pacific Regional Strategic Plan for Young Key Populations (YKPs) 2025–2030, marking a pivotal step forward in advancing health, human rights, and youth leadership across the region.

Despite global progress, HIV remains a critical issue for YKPs. According to UNAIDS (2024), over 4,000 young people aged 15–24 acquire HIV each week 95% of new infections among youth in Asia and the Pacific occur within key populations. This is not only a public health concern, but a human rights emergency driven by stigma, discrimination, and systemic barriers.

Six Strategic Priorities for 2025–2030

The new plan lays out six interconnected priorities:

1. Diverse Funding Sources

Sustaining youth-led work requires more than short-term grants. The plan advocates for multi-sector investments—including from development partners, governments, private sector, and community-based philanthropy.

2. Digital Health Advocacy

The strategy harnesses AI and digital tools to reach youth with accurate, inclusive, and rights-based health information, while addressing online safety, ethics, and equity.

3. Enabling Environments

Young people must be able to access services and advocate for their rights without fear. The plan pushes for legal reform, human rights training, and responsive support systems to protect YKPs.

4. Youth Leadership

The plan supports intergenerational collaboration and invests in emerging youth leaders working across issues such as HIV, gender, climate justice, and civic participation.

5. Access to Health & HIV Services

A commitment to scale up youth-friendly HIV, SRHR, and mental health services, paired with comprehensive sexuality education and peer-led referral systems.

6. Organizational Capacity

To ensure sustainability, the plan emphasizes stronger internal systems, leadership transitions, and cross-network collaboration.

What’s Next?

The strategy, developed through inclusive consultations with young leaders and partners, now enters an implementation phase. Youth LEAD, YVC, and Y-PEER Asia Pacific will work closely with national networks to localize the plan, build country-level action, and mobilize resources.

Annual regional dialogues, a robust monitoring framework, and stronger strategic partnerships will guide this journey.

A Call to Action

The youth-led movement calls on governments, donors, UN agencies, and civil society to align efforts and invest in youth leadership. Ending AIDS by 2030 is only possible if YKPs are at the center of the response.