The United Nations has marked the tenth anniversary of a landmark global framework that elevated young people as key actors in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and security governance. The milestone underscores a decade of progress under the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda, which has reshaped international policy by recognizing youth not only as victims of conflict but as essential partners in building sustainable peace.
Adopted by the UN Security Council in 2015, the framework laid the foundation for integrating youth perspectives into peace processes, political decision-making, and post-conflict recovery. Ten years on, the anniversary has provided an opportunity for the international community to assess achievements, identify persistent gaps, and renew commitments to inclusive peacebuilding.
Growing Global Recognition of Youth as Peace Actors
Over the past decade, the Youth, Peace and Security agenda has gained traction across regions, influencing national policies, multilateral strategies, and development programming. Governments, regional organisations, and civil society actors have increasingly acknowledged that young people bring innovation, credibility, and local knowledge to peace and security efforts, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
To commemorate the anniversary, the United Nations convened a series of high-level discussions involving youth leaders, diplomats, academics, and senior officials. These engagements focused on the evolving role of youth in peace governance, as well as the need to move beyond symbolic participation toward meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes.
Participants emphasised that youth engagement is most effective when it is institutionalised, adequately funded, and supported by political leadership. While progress has been made, speakers noted that implementation remains uneven across regions, with many young people still excluded from formal peace processes.
Voices from Conflict-Affected Communities
Central to the anniversary events were testimonies from young advocates with lived experience of conflict, displacement, and political repression. These voices highlighted the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on youth, particularly young women and girls, while also demonstrating the resilience and leadership emerging from affected communities.
Youth advocates stressed that inclusive peace and security strategies must address intersecting challenges such as gender inequality, human rights violations, forced displacement, and restrictions on civic space. Their contributions reinforced the importance of safeguarding youth participation and protecting young peacebuilders operating in high-risk environments.
National and Regional Action on Youth, Peace and Security
Since the adoption of the YPS framework, more than a dozen countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe have developed national action plans to operationalize youth participation in peace and security policies. These plans typically focus on strengthening youth leadership, expanding civic engagement, and integrating youth perspectives into security and governance institutions.
In Africa, momentum has continued to build at the regional level. The African Union recently convened its first continent-wide youth peace dialogue, bringing together young peacebuilders from diverse social, political, and geographic backgrounds. The dialogue produced a declaration outlining strategic priorities for advancing youth inclusion in peace and security across the continent.
Observers view this regional initiative as a significant step toward aligning continental peace frameworks with the realities and aspirations of Africa’s rapidly growing youth population.
Addressing Emerging Global Challenges
The anniversary discussions also explored how emerging global challenges intersect with youth, peace, and security. Topics included climate change, digital transformation, economic inequality, and misinformation all of which increasingly influence conflict dynamics and social cohesion.
Interactive dialogue formats, including informal “peace circles,” allowed young leaders to engage directly with policymakers on these issues. Participants underscored that addressing modern security challenges requires intergenerational collaboration and innovative policy responses that reflect the perspectives of young people.
Persistent Barriers and the Path Forward
Despite notable progress, the United Nations acknowledged that significant barriers continue to limit youth participation in peace and security. High youth unemployment, limited access to education, political marginalization, and ongoing insecurity remain major obstacles, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
UN officials reiterated the need for sustained investment in youth-led organisations, stronger accountability mechanisms, and improved data on youth participation in peace processes. They also emphasised that youth engagement must be inclusive, reaching marginalised groups and ensuring gender equality.
A Decade of Progress, A Continuing Commitment
As the Youth, Peace and Security agenda enters its second decade, the United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people as partners in peace. The anniversary served as both a celebration of progress and a call to action for governments, international institutions, and civil society to deepen their support for youth leadership.
The message from the commemoration was clear: sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people. As global security challenges grow more complex, investing in youth agency remains a strategic imperative for peace, stability, and inclusive development.
