Yslam Saryjayev, a 5th-year student of the Faculty of Architecture and Construction of the Turkmen State Architecture and Construction Institute, attended an international event held in Vienna — the UNODC Youth Forum organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) — and was awarded a certificate for his active participation in the Forum.
This Forum was held from 9-11 March 2026 in Vienna, Republic of Austria, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, on the sidelines of the 69th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). The Forum brought together 26 youth representatives from 21 countries around the world. This international event, which has been held regularly for nearly fifteen years, created wide opportunities to increase knowledge about evidence-based prevention among youth, exchange experience, and facilitate dialogue between young people from different countries.
During the three days of the Forum, various interactive sessions were held. Participating youth received comprehensive information about science-based prevention of drug use, took part in youth-led presentations, and shared experiences from their respective countries. As a result of the Forum, a joint Youth Statement prepared by the participants was presented at the plenary session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
The statement emphasized that substance use is not only a health issue but also a threat to family stability and has a negative impact on the future opportunities of young people. It was also highlighted that youth is one of the most critical periods for brain development and that early exposure to substances during this period can lead to long-term negative consequences. The statement underlined the importance of strengthening prevention measures among youth, raising awareness, promoting cooperation among peers, and ensuring the active participation of young people in decision-making processes.
The organizers of the Forum highly appreciated the active engagement and spirit of cooperation shown by the youth participants and emphasized that the perspectives of young people play an important role in developing effective prevention strategies. Such international events demonstrate the broad potential of young people to contribute to positive transformations in society.We express our sincere gratitude to Hero Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar for the wide opportunities created for the young generation to raise the glory of our country on the international stage, strengthen cooperation with the global community, and enable youth to participate in international initiatives and exchange experiences.
