BANGKOK– The regional Youth Co: Lab Summit, co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, brought together Asia-Pacific’s boldest young entrepreneurs, development partners, and policymakers in Bangkok to mark ten years of systems-level change, built by working with young people, ecosystem partners, and governments alike.
From 29-30 June 2026, some of the most inspiring young entrepreneurs, development partners, and policymakers from across Asia and the Pacific gathered at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok for the Youth Co: Lab Summit 2026.
Now in its tenth year, the initiative co-led by UNDP and the Citi Foundation has reshaped how young people lead, innovate, and build enterprises across the region. This year’s theme, “A Moonshot for Youth-led Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship,”captured a simple conviction: young people are not waiting to inherit the world’s problems; they are already solving them.
That impact is the result of a deliberate, systems-level approach sustained over a decade: backing young entrepreneurs directly, strengthening the ecosystem partners and support organizations around them, and working with governments to shape youth-empowering policies.
More than 400,000 Participants
Across 30 countries and territories, Youth Co: Lab has reached more than 400,000 participants, supported over 48,000 young entrepreneurs, and helped launch or improve more than 4,000 youth-led social enterprises.
The results are tangible. In Pakistan, DeafTawk’son-demand sign language platform now serves more than 68,000 users across five countries. In Indonesia, GAWIREAhas trained Indigenous women in solar technology, raising their incomes by up to 40 percent and prompting the provincial government to replicate the model.
In Thailand, the YoungHappyproject is a community platform promoting mental well-being for seniors based on the ‘Active Aging’ concept. Another featured initiative is HOSTBEEHIVE, a wild honey brand founded by the Pgakanyau (Karen) indigenous community in Huai Hin Lad Nai, Chiang Rai.
The project empowers the community by generating income through the sale of high-quality wild honey produced using traditional beekeeping practices, while protecting the surrounding forest, the bees’ natural habitat. A portion of the proceeds is reinvested into a community fund to support healthcare services and forest fire prevention.
Another example is Seed Journey, a Thai social enterprise that transforms local, seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes from the Akha and other ethnic communities into sustainable economic opportunities through eco-tourism and pop-up dining experiences.
Not The Finish Line
The initiative encourages younger generations to return and work in their hometowns, while preserving indigenous cultural heritage and strengthening long-term food security. To date, the project has supported more than 30 farming households across Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, providing them with fair and direct income through the sale of forest products and locally grown ingredients to the enterprise.
“We are not here to celebrate the finish line. We are here because the work is not done,” said Gerd Trogemann, Manager of the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub. “When young people lead, and when we put our trust in them, communities transform. The question now is whether we are willing to scale what we know works, and through the Youth Moonshot, we are committing to do exactly that, reaching every young person in Asia-Pacific.”
The two-day programme moved from looking back to leaping forward. Day one celebrated a decade of collective change, with voices from across the movement and high-level dialogues on the policies and partnerships needed to strengthen the ecosystem.
Day two turned to the future, as young entrepreneurs pitched their solutions at a Regional Demo Day and the closing session reflected on how a movement built together over ten years can carry forward, so that every young person across Asia-Pacific has the opportunity, support, and agency to shape what comes next.
Youth Co: Lab has Tremendous Innovation
The event was co-organized by UNDP and the Citi Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Commonwealth Secretariat, CVC Capital Partners, Microsoft, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and Tencent.
“Youth Co:Labhas catalyzed tremendous innovation from the region’s youth and created a strong ecosystem to help accelerate their growth,” said Florencia Spangaro, Chief Operating Officer of the Citi Foundation. “The Citi Foundation is proud of the positive impact over the last decade and remains committed to advancing new solutions for youth employability, especially as technology and AI rapidly shape the future of work.”
“The decade celebration is only the beginning, UNDP and CITI foundation always believed in inclusion & youth empowerment. They are not the leaders of tomorrow, but they are leading today, every day. We are committed to give the launchpad for youth to take off to the better, pay-it-forward future.” said Narumon Chivangkur, Citi Country Officer and Banking Head, Citi Thailand.
The decade behind Youth Co: Lab is only the beginning. With one in five young people in the region still not in employment, education, or training, the work is far from finished. With a growing alliance of partners and a generation ready to lead, the foundations have been set for continued progress and lasting change, so that youth across Asia-Pacific have the opportunity, support, and agency to build a future for people and planet.
About Citi
Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States.
Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com .
About Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities.
The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com .
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow us at @UNDP.
