Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said here on Wednesday that the youth are the main driving force of new civilisation in the era of rapidly changing technology.

“With the knowledge and experience of the old days, it is difficult to deal with the new challenges that are being created every day in the ongoing new ecosystem, including emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). So, it is the duty of every country to impart the right knowledge and skills to the youths,” he said.

The minister was addressing an event at the Foreign Service Academy here marking the 'International Youth Day 2026'. The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly organised the meeting.

The day was celebrated with the theme ‘2026- Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque presided over the meeting.

Speaking as the chief guest, Swapon said the unprecedented development of technology, including AI, is a great blessing for human civilisation, but it has also brought about completely new challenges.

“The evolution of technology and knowledge is happening so rapidly that it is difficult to predict what will be the next”, he said.

Noting that knowledge is no longer a fixed or static thing as it is constantly being changed, he said the older generation needs to understand that the biological and innate ability to adapt to this new ecosystem is highest among the younger generation.

Stressing the need for enhancing the skills of the youth, he said new technology-based  crises are being added to old problems such as employment, food security, natural disasters and climate change.

However, Swapon said, proper institutional system to provide this new technology-based knowledge to the youth has not yet taken a complete shape globally.

International organisations, including the United Nations, should focus on the process of transforming this new knowledge and acquiring skills with the youth as the main focus, he said.

Mentioning the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Swapon said the premier has proven through various steps of the government that he has full confidence in the capabilities of the youths.

The government is taking positive and visionary decisions to promote sports, develop creativity and involve the youth in addressing global challenges like environment and climate change, he said.

Young entrepreneurs, students and youth representatives from various professions, senior officials of the Ministry of Youths and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign guests were present.

SM/CitizenTimes