The Colombo Declaration was adopted by the closing Plenary of the World Conference on Youth 2014. Picture shows dignitaries on stage applauding the successful collaboration that led to the consensus between the ministers and the youth. (L-R) Mr. José Manuel Romero, Director General of the Mexican Institute of Youth (IMJUVE), Mr. Ravi Karakara, Global Expert Advisor on Children and Youth, Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, the United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, Mr. Dulles Alahapperuma, Minister for Youth Affairs and Skills Development, Sri Lanka, Mr. Mohanlal Grero, Deputy Minister of Education and Monitoring MP for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, Dr. Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Mr. Lloyd-Russell Moyle, Vice President of the European Youth Forum and Mrs. Nilanthi Sugathadasa, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development of Sri Lanka.

WCY-2014 began on May 8 at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center (MRICC) in Hambantota, Sri Lanka with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the U.N. General Assembly Dr. John W. Ashe and U.N. Secretary General's Envoy on Youth Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi.. A large number of international and local dignitaries and approximately 1,500 youth delegates attended the conference from May 6-10.