The Summit of the Future marks a pivotal moment for the global Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. With the international community coming together to strategize for a more peaceful and secure world, young peacebuilders play a central role in shaping the path forward. Among the Summit’s key achievements is the inclusion of critical YPS commitments in the newly adopted Pact for the Future.
The Pact for the Future recognizes that young people are not just participants but essential drivers of peace. Action 20 of the Pact emphasizes the need for the full, effective, safe, and meaningful participation of youth in international peace and security. This commitment aligns with the goals set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and subsequent YPS resolutions, ensuring that youth have a seat at the table in global decision-making processes.
High-Level Dialogue: Empowering Youth for a Peaceful Future
During the high-level dialogue, Empowering Youth for a Peaceful Future: Advancing the Youth Peace and Security Agenda, global leaders and young peacebuilders, including Alexandria Bohémier, co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Youth, Peace and Security (CCYPS), came together to discuss how to close the gap between aspirations and action. Participants reaffirmed the importance of co-creating peace processes with youth, ensuring that national and regional policies reflect the priorities of young people.
The event, co-hosted by the Permanent Missions of Malta, Finland, Jordan, the Dominican Republic, Denmark, France, and El Salvador, as well as the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY Peacebuilders) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), provided a platform for intergenerational discussion. Alexandria emphasized the need for more inclusive spaces where youth from diverse backgrounds are not only heard but also have real influence in shaping outcomes. She shared that “young peacebuilders around the world are losing or have lost trust in our global governance systems, and we must collectively decide to change our approach and reshape the path forward.” Strengthening existing national and regional YPS roadmaps, along with grassroots youth-led initiatives, was identified as a key step forward.
The Pact for the Future commits to accelerating efforts to include youth in conflict prevention and resolution. It calls for concrete measures to increase youth representation in intergovernmental deliberations at the UN and for the development of YPS roadmaps where they do not yet exist. These are significant steps forward in ensuring young peacebuilders are recognized as equal partners in building sustainable peace.
Looking Toward 2030
As we look toward 2030, it is vital that these commitments are met with action. The Summit of the Future has set the stage, but the real work begins now. Member States, civil society, and young leaders must collaborate to ensure that the YPS agenda is fully implemented, not just in policy but in practice.
CCYPS remains dedicated to amplifying youth voices and supporting young peacebuilders in leading the charge for a more just and peaceful world. The momentum generated at the Summit gives us hope that we are moving in the right direction. Let’s continue working together to build stronger partnerships, foster meaningful youth participation, and turn the commitments of the Pact for the Future into reality.
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