Civil society leaders, faith-based organizations, and youth advocates gathered at the Chiangmai Global Governance Forum (CGGF) 2025 in January to push for economic justice, climate action, and strengthened civic engagement.
Hosted at the International Youth Training Center (IYTC) in Thailand, the forum brought together key stakeholders to assess global governance frameworks and strategize collective action for sustainable development.
The forum addressed pressing issues such as sovereign debt, climate finance, and economic inequality, highlighting how the debt crisis disproportionately affects the Global South.
According to discussions, nearly one-third of nations prioritize debt servicing over essential services like health and education, leading to economic disparities.
Advocates at the CGGF pushed for the establishment of a UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt to ensure transparent debt-resolution mechanisms and urged the global community to shift toward grant-based climate finance instead of loan-driven approaches.
The forum also highlighted concerns about market-based climate solutions, such as carbon trading, which critics argue prioritize profits over justice.
The forum raised alarm over restrictive legislation limiting civil society advocacy in many Asian countries.
Participants emphasized the need for stronger Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes to hold governments accountable and advocated for the establishment of independent National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) aligned with international standards.
William Nokrek, President of IMCS-MIEC Pax Romana and Co-chair of the IYTC Steering Committee, stressed the significance of youth engagement in governance.
“The Chiangmai Global Governance Forum (CGGF) has reaffirmed the vital role of civil society in shaping a just and sustainable future in Asia. As young leaders, we are not just witnesses but active participants in governance, advocating for climate justice, economic equity, and human rights,” he said.
Following the CGGF, the Chiangmai Catholic Civic (CCC) Forum took place bringing together youth leaders, academics, and Catholic organizations to align faith-driven advocacy with global challenges.
The forum focused on social justice, peacebuilding, and environmental sustainability in the context of Catholic Social Teaching (CST).
A key initiative launched was the Pax Jubilee Campaign (2025-2027), which aims to gather one million signatures and commitments advocating for justice, economic reform, and care for creation.
The campaign’s impact will be presented to Pope Francis at World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul and to the UN Secretary-General at the 3rd SDG Summit in 2027.
Suman Ghale, Asia Pacific Coordinator of IMCS Pax Romana, described the forum as a confluence of faith and action.
“Comprising the value and integrity of Catholic Social Teaching and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Chiangmai Catholic Civic (CCC) Forum stands as the confluence to observe, analyze, and foster coalition among the Catholic social action groups deriving attorney of synodality and synergy towards the holistic conjugation of social transformation,” he said.
The events culminated with the Catholic Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) 2025, where 16 young Catholic leaders from across Asia underwent intensive training on faith-based advocacy and leadership.
The program emphasized Pope Francis’ call for youth to be “agents for social change” and equipped them with skills to run advocacy campaigns addressing human rights, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
Participants engaged in immersion programs in local communities, providing firsthand experiences of grassroots activism.
P. M. Sudeepa Lakshan from the Sri Lanka University Catholic Students Movement (SLUCSM) described the impact of the immersion experience, saying, “Immersion to local village was a life-changing experience for me.”
As a result of these forums, a Global Advocacy Calendar for 2025 was established, aligning civil society efforts with major international events such as the Financing for Development Conference (Spain, June), COP30 (Brazil, November), and the G20 Summit (South Africa, November).
