Ambassadorial-level meeting on Youth, Peace and…

When the Security Council adopted the landmark Resolution 2250 (2015) on youth, peace and security, it recognized for the first time the "important and positive contribution of youth in efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security" and detailed the five pillars of the YPS agenda: 1) Participation of young people in peacebuilding and conflict resolution; 2) Protection of young peacebuilding and human rights activists; 3) Prevention and addressing root causes of violence and violent extremism; 4) Partnerships to increase political, financial and technical support of youth participation and youth-led peacebuilding; and 5) Disengagement and Reintegration of young people affected by conflict. The resolution – and subsequent resolutions 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020) – highlighted youth participation and leadership in peace and security efforts and urged Member States to amplify the voices of youth in decision-making and peace processes and recognize their essential and positive role in building and sustaining peace.  

While progress has undoubtedly been made since resolution 2250 (2015) was adopted, young people continue to face multidimensional challenges and barriers which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and exclusion from decision-making and peace processes. As the YPS agenda continues moving from policy to implementation, priorities for action include national-level action plans on YPS, an increase in accessible funding for youth-led peacebuilding and a greater institutionalization of the YPS agenda.

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Taking into account input contained in the assessment of the implementation of the PBC Strategic Action Plan on youth and peacebuilding, the report of the Secretary-General on YPS, and briefings by young peacebuilders who have been invited to address the PBC, the Commission can discuss ways of strengthening its support for the work of young peacebuilders. The meeting also offers an opportunity to discuss ways of improving access to flexible funding by youth-led and youth-focused organizations. Key elements of the discussion will also serve as input to the Commission's advice to the Security Council on youth, peace and security for consideration during the Council's open debate on YPS in 2022.