UTS World Youth Festival 2025 Opens in Malaysia with a Strong Focus on Unity, Inclusion, and Youth Leadership
Kuala Lumpur: The UTS World Youth Festival 2025 officially opened 21st November in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together over 10,000 young people from the region and across the globe for three inspiring days of learning, sport, culture, and international collaboration. Held in celebration with United Nation’s World Children’s Day, the festival places a powerful spotlight on unity, inclusion, and the role of youth as leaders of change.The opening ceremony featured heartfelt and visionary messages from three of the most influential leaders in the global sport movement, each underscoring the importance of empowering young people and creating inclusive pathways worldwide.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry praised the festival and she said:
“A vital platform where young people not only participate but are truly heard.”
She commended United Through Sports for giving youth the opportunity to shape their own future through courage, creativity, and shared humanity.
IPC President Andrew Parsons emphasised his stance on youth development and said:
“Inclusion is not an option, it is a responsibility.”
He stressed that every programme engaging youth must embrace equity, equal opportunity and access, ensuring that no young person is left behind.
Special Olympics International CEO Mary Davis delivered an uplifting message, reminding participants of human values and said:
“A truly inclusive community is built when every young person is valued, supported, and celebrated.”
She encouraged youth to continue championing kindness, unity, and respect. UTS President Stephan Fox expressed deep gratitude to Malaysia for its strong support and reaffirmed the mission of UTS: providing young people with opportunities to learn, to lead, and to rise together. He highlighted the extraordinary commitment and spirit of the UTS World Youth Ambassadors, calling them
“The heartbeat of this festival and the voices of a united youth movement.”
Also addressing the ceremony welcomed Dipak Natali, Regional President and Acting Managing Director of Special Olympics Asia Pacific,who gave an important focus on the movement and said:
“We need to show that change can be done with less red tape and present another way to look at the world.”
Ms Nooraseela Md Khalid OLY, President of the Malaysian Olympism in Action Society was proud to share the impact of the orgnisation and their powerful iLEAP program (Inclusive Leadership Program). Both speakers underscored Malaysia’s dedication to youth development and its growing role as a leader in regional youth empowerment.
A major highlight of the opening was the inspiring united entrance of the UTS World Young Leaders,from across 5 continents representing diverse cultures, regions, and abilities. The flag parade gave them an opportunity to present themselves, standing in solidarity for a better future.
Their collective message resonated across the venue:
Youth are united.
Youths have a voice.
Youth will lead the future.
Malaysia supported UTS to provide a vibrant cultural programme, showcasing the nation’s rich traditions, creativity, and warm hospitality. President Fox commended Malaysia for its exceptional commitment to welcoming young people from around the world. The Malaysian Tourism Ministry Director General Hon. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy showed his support towards the youth of the region and warmly welcomed the Young Leaders.
Over the coming days, the festival features dynamic interactive workshops, educational sessions, Fitlah fun activities, city explorations, and youth-led dialogues.The program shows a variety of traditional sports and games at Merdeka Stadium, where thousands of young people gather to dance, to move and to celebrate World Children’s Day with a global message of learning, participation, and cooperation. Let us rise together.
