Youth and sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said ongoing ‘Youth Festival 2025’, aimed at energising the country’s youth to build a new Bangladesh, will now continue until 31 December 2025.
He made the announcement on Tuesday during a review meeting of the National Committee on the Implementation of the Youth Festival 2025, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Public Administration.
Asif Mahmud, who also serves as the Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, presided over the meeting. Representatives from 25 relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of LGRD and Cooperatives, were present.
During the meeting, the adviser reviewed the progress of the festival and gave necessary directives to ensure its smooth and inclusive implementation across the country. He also highlighted plans to expand the festival onto the global stage, stating that initiatives are underway to involve regional organisations such as SAARC. A policy decision has also been taken to organise a Global Youth Summit as part of the international outreach.
The Youth Festival, launched on 30 December 2024 under the slogan “Esho Desh Bodlai, Prithibi Bodlai” (Let’s Change the Country and Change the World), is being celebrated with widespread participation and enthusiasm nationwide.
Although the festival was officially declared closed on 19 February, the government later decided to extend it until the end of the year, recognising its significant impact on youth engagement.
In the first phase alone, over 7.1 million youth participated in various events, including 2.7 million women. A total of 13,711 programmes were held, of which 2,931 were dedicated to women’s sports and cultural activities.
One of the flagship components of the festival is the U-17 football tournament, which is being conducted from union level up to the divisional level under the supervision of the Directorate of Sports and the District Sports Offices.
The festival is a major initiative of the Chief Adviser’s Office, implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Youth and Sports with support from 26 different ministries.
According to organisers, the Youth Festival is not just about celebration—it is about fostering national unity, promoting self-employment, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, and showcasing grassroots initiatives at both national and international levels.
For updates and participation details, the public has been advised to visit the official festival website: https://youth.cao.gov.bd