Assembly Planning Committee Meets in Chiang Mai to Advance Preparations for the 22nd General Assembly of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
The Assembly Planning Committee (APC) held its in-person meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 21-24 August 2026. Hosted by Chiang Mai YMCA and the local organizing team, the meeting brought together APAY leaders, host representatives, and staff to review preparations for the 22nd APAY General Assembly (GA), including venue arrangements, programme development, Youth Assembly (YA), Gender Equity Forum (GEF), and overall logistics. Read more
GENDER JUSTICE, CLIMATE JUSTICE: BUILDING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
The Regional Gender Justice Program 2026, organized in collaboration with the Climate Defenders Project, was held from August 24–29, 2026, as a major initiative of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY). Hosted by the YMCA of Chiang Mai, Thailand, the program gathered 27 participants, including staff, from eight countries—Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand—to explore the critical intersection of gender justice and climate action. Read the communique here
Toroshi Areng from Bangladesh shares her reflection: From Conversation to Commitment: A Journey Towards Gender Justice. Read more
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND MEANINGFUL WORK

The 6th Cohort of YMCA Change Agent

79 Change Agents (CA), representing 44 countries, graduated from the CA program. From our region, 31 CAs from 10 countries completed the program. Ain Art from the Philippines and Ramis from Pakistan share their reflections.
  • Ain Art Villanueva Atos, a treasurer of YMCA of Albay, Philippines, shares how CA journey and APAY Change Agent in-person Gathering in Toronto strengthened leadership, regional friendship, and passion for creating meaningful change. Read more
  • Ramis John, Youth Coordinator at Lahore YMCA and YPLD Committee member, shares his journey as the first Change Agent from Pakistan. Read more

Inter School Literary Competition of YMCA Cuttack, India

YMCA Cuttack ran the YMCA Inter School Literary Competition (ISLC) throughout this August. Conducted every year, the ISLC is a longstanding event that has over 65 years’ history. The program is designed to develop cognitive skills and public speaking ability in young people. Read more

Gathering with IPTL Church leaders, YMCA Timor Leste

YMCA Timor-Leste shared with Church leaders its devotion to the nation’s future and youth development. The National General Secretary invited the IPTL to partner with the YMCA in initiating a project to construct community sports centers in target rural areas. Read more
JUST WORLD

APAY ICF Peace Institute ToT on Peace Education

15 youth leaders from eight Asian countries completed the 12-day Peace Institute Training of Trainers in Chiang Mai. Participants developed peace education modules, engaged in community exposures, and facilitated workshops for local Thai students. Read more

ICF Alumni led Climate Change Workshop

Twenty youth in Vijayawada completed a three-day climate workshop in May. Participants explored air pollution, photojournalism, health impacts, and conflict analysis tools, developing youth-led project proposals on local environmental challenges. Read more

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The Gender Equity Committee of APAY invites YMCA movements to participate in the 2026 “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign from 25 November to 10 December. This year’s theme, by UN Women, is “Ensure Justice, Protect Survivors, End Impunity”. Please share your activities and events here
SUSTAINABLE PLANET

APAY Climate Auditors Workshop in Chiangmai

4-9 June 2026, 16 YMCA leaders joined Climate Auditor Workshop at Chiangmai YMCA where they not only increased personal commitments to combat global warming but also practiced the calculation on YMCA carbon footprint and shared Green Policies as Climate Auditors.
COMMUNITY WELLBEING

APAY YMCA Hotel Network Conference

Hosted by YMCA Chiang Mai, the APAY YMCA Hotel Network Conference 2026 united Asia-Pacific hospitality leaders to advance sustainable practices and community impact. Delegates established the "Four Cs" framework to align hotel operations with green initiatives, leadership training, and regional collaboration. Read more

“Sharing with Love” Carnival by YMCA of Hong Kong

Aligned with YMCA Vision 2030, the YMCA of Hong Kong hosted the “Sharing with Love” Tai Po Community Carnival to support fire-affected residents. Sponsored by Amity Foundation Hong Kong, nearly 500 participants gathered and enjoyed game booths, workshops, and music. Read more

GATN 2026 by Cambodia YMCA

YMCA Cambodia hosted a 10-day Global Alternative Tourism Network program in Phnom Penh, bringing together participants from Japan, Taiwan, Denmark, and Cambodia. The initiative promoted youth leadership and cultural exchange, highlighted by the “Swim for Safety” program which taught local children facing risks of water-related accidents how to swim. Read more

Programs and Activities of YMCA Cuttack

YMCA Cuttack organized and conducted three distinct programs in August. These ranged from an observation of the Indian Independence day to a felicitation program for the YMCA Challengers badminton team. Read more about each program

Celebrating the 182nd Anniversary of the YMCA movement

The YMCA of Hong Kong celebrated the 182nd YMCA Anniversary with the event "182 On Fire." Leaders, staff, and Y's Men's Club representatives came together for game challenges and music, reinforcing organizational bonds and sharing Christian values. Read more

Ecumenical Fellowship Gathering in Seoul, Korea

APAY and NCY Korea co-hosted a gathering in Seoul, where ecumenical partners, friends and colleagues welcomed the incoming General Secretary Mr. Chan Beng Seng. The gathering also served to strengthen the fellowship network between APAY and the Korean ecumenical community. Read more
IN SOLIDARITY

Flood in Nepal

On 26 August 2026, a devastating flood occurred in the Bhote Koshi river. With over 1,500 casualties (as of October 2026) and 93,000 people placed in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, APAY reached out to national YMCA movements for financial support, to help the victims of the disaster. Read more
ANNOUNCEMENT

Call for Applications: External Evaluation of the APAY Climate Defenders Project

APAY invites qualified evaluators to conduct an external evaluation of the Climate Defenders Project, assessing its relevance, outcomes, and impact while identifying lessons for future programme development. Interested parties are invited to request the Terms of Reference (ToR) by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Read more

Transition of APAY General Secretary

APAY expresses sincere gratitude to Mr. Nam Boo Won for his dedicated service and leadership for 11 years and warmly welcomes Mr. Chan Beng Seng as the new General Secretary, effective September 1, 2026. Read the appointment letter

World YMCA Executive Committee Members

APAY congratulates the newly elected members of the World YMCA Executive Committee for the 2026-2030 term from our region and looks forward to their leadership and contributions to strengthening the global YMCA movements.
  • Christopher Lewis, Australia - President
  • Charis Gabriel Lim, Singapore – Executive Committee Member
  • Czieloh Jomea Villajin, Philippines - Executive Committee Member
YMCA 21st WORLD COUNCIL, TORONTO
In Toronto, Canada, more than 1300 people gathered for the 21st World Council, the highest governing body of our Movement, from 19-25 July 2026. Main highlights we have accomplished together are shared in the letter by SG Carlos Sanvee. Read more
APAY had special gatherings with the delegates from our region and also from other regions. Here, we share two highlights:

APAY Regional Gathering

The APAY Regional Gathering brought together 130 delegates from our region. Participants celebrated newly elected regional representatives to World YMCA Executive Committee, recognized Change Agent graduates, and shared fellowship and regional updates. Read more

Special Convening between Y-USA and APAY

Delegates from Y-USA and APAY met during the World Council and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening collaboration. Discussion highlighted opportunities for leadership development, youth engagement, cultural exchanges, service learning, and mutual learning among YMCA movements. Read more