In April 2021, APT announced calls for applications to select the fourth Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2021. We have received around 150 applications from across the country. Fifteen people were shortlisted to attend the written test and interview, which was organized online and in-person in June 2021.

Ahead of the final round of Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations 2021, APT organized a series of meetings for the four finalists of 2021 Afghan Youth Representatives with the embassies in Afghanistan. The meetings were conducted online with the Canadian Embassy, Dutch Embassy, and German Embassy. In these meetings, the finalists discussed the role and inclusion of youth in peace and leadership. The finalists also shared their views on the importance of the active participation of women and their active voice in peace and leadership and what challenges do women face and what does peace mean to them?

On July 18th, APT organized the final round of selection of the 2021 Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations at the Serena Hotel. Due to the pandemic and security threads, only the 11 judges and the four finalists attended the event. The selection round was live-streamed, and the audience joined the event online. The round was adjudicated by Carsten Carlsen, Charged affairs of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kabul, Grant Kippen, Chief Electoral Advisor and OIC Political Pillar of UNAMA, Asila Wardak, Minister Counselor at Afghan Mission to the UN from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Ajmal Ramyar, the Director of Afghans for Progressive Thinking. The four finalists presented their speech on the topic “As an Afghan youth, where do you think the country will head in the next few months? What scenarios are probable??” Fawad Ahmad Shahanyar won the title and became the 2021 Afghan youth representative to the United Nations.