THE Bangsamoro Youth Commission in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BYC-Barmm) will lead this year's regional commemoration of the International Youth Day (IYD).

The regional celebration on Wednesday, August 12, will be marked with different activities that include the launching of the creation of BYC and the Bangsamoro Youth Transition Priority Agenda (BYTPA) 2020-2022, State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address, and awarding of short film fest and photography contest winners.

Barmm Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim signed on April 14 the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 10, which created and established the BYC in the region.

The BYC-Barmm is under the Office of the Chief Minister that deals and coordinates with youth issues, concerns, programs, activities and projects.

Meanwhile, BYTPA 2020-2022 is Barmm's youth development agenda "that addresses the peculiar social context, considerations and conditions as well as the pertinent needs and challenges confronting the youth."

Marjanie Macasalong, chairperson of the BYC and Bangsamoro Transition Authority Member of Parliament, said BYTPA focuses on five agenda centers, including Health, Governance, Peacebuilding and Security, Education, and Active Citizenship.

The awarding of winners of the Bangsamoro Short Film Peacetival and Photography Contest will also form part of the regional celebration.

"The short film peacetival and photography contest will mainstream Barmm community-based stories of peace, conflicts, survival, and hopes," said Nass Dunding, chairperson of programs and operations of BYC-Barmm.

International Youth Day is an international day dedicated by the United Nations to raise awareness on the cultural and legal issues surrounding the youth.

This year's celebration is anchored on the theme "Youth Engagement for Global Action." (SunStar Zamboanga)