Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT) launched the Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations (AYR-UN) program in 2018 as a flagship, year-long initiative to amplify the voices of young Afghan women and men in global policy discussions and international affairs.
Following the collapse of the former government and the return of the Taliban, the program sharpened its focus on addressing the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly the rights of women and girls. It elevates these voices on global platforms and advocates for their fundamental rights, including education, employment, and freedom of expression and movement.
At its core, the program empowers one young Afghan—preferably a woman—each year to serve as a representative of Afghan youth. The representative brings visibility to the lived realities of Afghan youth, highlights human rights challenges, and calls for increased international support, especially for women and girls.
Since its inception, the program has selected five Afghan youth through a rigorous and transparent process, including three women and two men. These representatives have engaged with major international platforms such as the United Nations Security Council, the European Parliament, the International Criminal Court, and other global forums, representing voices from both within Afghanistan and the diaspora.
Before participating in these engagements, the Youth Representative consults widely with Afghan youth inside the country and abroad through surveys, discussions, and interviews. These consultations ensure that their contributions to international platforms are informed, representative, and grounded in the experiences of Afghan youth.
Aziza Akrami was selected as the Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2025-2026, following a final round alongside two other outstanding female finalists – Fatima Frotan and Wazhma Rahmani. Mrs. Laetitia van Asch, Chargé d’Affaires of the Netherlands for Afghanistan; Mr. Peter van Sluijs, CSPPS Coordinator at Cordaid; Ms. Samira Hamidi, Regional Campaigner at Amnesty International; and Mr. Ajmal Ramyar, Executive Director of APT, judged the final selection round.
Aziza Akrami is an Afghan social entrepreneur and advocate who focuses on social justice, refugee rights, and the protection of women and children. As a McKinsey 2025 Forward Program Ambassador and co-founder of Empowered Circle (launched in 2021), she has provided healthcare and education to over 8,000 people in Afghanistan. With six years of humanitarian experience, she has raised over USD 500,000 through collaborations with organizations such as The Collective Aid and Norwegian Church Aid. Holding an MBA from Porto Business School (2024) and a Bachelor’s from Kabul University (2021), her award-winning research on “Women Between Conflict and Climate Crisis” reflects her unwavering commitment to dignity and equality.
Before delivering her speech at the UN, Aziza will engage in discussions with young men and women both inside Afghanistan and abroad. She will organize online and in-person surveys, as well as interviews and conversations with youth, members of the international community, and policymakers. These engagements—particularly those amplifying youth voices, especially those of women—will shape her speech at the UN and other international platforms.
Her message will amplify the voices of youth, with a focus on women and girls, highlighting the human rights situation in Afghanistan and calling for increased international support—especially for women and girls.
Ms. Akrami carries the hopes of a generation, ready to advocate for access to education, gender equality, and meaningful youth participation on the global stage.
The Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations (AYR-UN) program thrives on the collaboration support of individuals and organizations who believe in the power of youth leadership. There are many ways to support this initiative:
In 2025 – 2026, through a rigorous competition and selection process, among dozens of applicants, Aziza Akrami won the final round alongside two outstanding finalists and became the Afghan Youth Representative to the UN (AYR-UN). Akrami said: “I am committed to amplifying the voices of Afghan youth and advocating for dignity and equality on the global stage.”
In 2021, through a rigorous competition and selection process, among dozens of applicants, Ahmad Fawad Shahanyar won the final round and became the 2020 Afghan Youth Representative to the UN (AYR-UN). Shahniyar, said: “The youth want peace and I hope that Fawad will convey the messages that he gathers to the world.”
In 2020, through a rigorous competition and selection process among dozens of applicants, Ms. Shkula Zadran won the final round and became the 2020 Afghan Youth Representative to the UN (AYR-UN). Ms. Zadran briefed the security council on December 17th after engaging and meeting with hundreds of youth from across Afghanistan. In her speech, Shkula represented a generation who have been the main victim of this war and spoke of how Afghan youth’s dreams are being buried every day. She called for an end to the brutal war in Afghanistan.
In 2019, through a rigorous competition and selection process, among dozens of applicants, Ms. Aisha Khurram, a student of Kabul University won the nomination and became the 2019 Afghan Youth Representative to the UN (AYR-UN). On December 16, 2020, Ms. Khurram delivered a remarkable speech at the UN Security Council that reflected the will, capabilities, and desires of her generation.
In 2018, through a rigorous competition and selection process among dozens of youth applicants who competed in public speaking events, Ramiz Bakhtiar was select as the First-Ever Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations (AYR-UN). On September 17, 2018. Ramiz Bakhtiar addressed the United Nations Security Council, whose words were covered by international media.
AISHA KHURRAM
SHKLA ZADRAN