The country’s youth have a say in deciding the future of local communities, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In a Twitter post on Thursday, the president extended his best wishes to the country’s youth on the occasion of National Youth Day.

Highlighting that the nation is driven by the youth, Solih stated that citizens have a duty to unlock the youth community’s full potential.

This may be done by providing them opportunities and including their say in deciding the future of local communities, said the president.

The president declared every October 22 as National Youth Day, on December 17 last year.

The decision was reached following the recommendations of the Cabinet of Ministers and marks the day 12 years ago, where the act enabling voting rights for Maldivian citizens of 18 years and above was passed. The act was passed as a result of constant hard work by the members of the Special Majlis, which validated the day as one of significant youth empowerment in the country.

In the past, the occasion has been celebrated on different dates including March 1, August 12 and November 7.

This year’s celebration was expected to be vibrant, which has been compromised by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.