Security Council unanimously adopts Jordan-proposed resolution on youth

AMMAN — The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted on Wednesday an “historic” resolution on youth, peace and security, which, for the first time in its history, focuses entirely on the role of young men and women in peace building and countering violent extremism.

In response to HRH Crown Prince Hussein's call to engage young people and boost their contributions to peacemaking, the council adopted the resolution, which had been officially submitted by Jordan as a member. 

On his Instagram account, the Crown Prince wrote:  "I would like to congratulate the world's youth that contributed to drafting the ‘Amman Youth Declaration’ which resulted today in the adoption of an historic and unprecedented resolution by the Security Council on Youth, Peace and Security."

"The… resolution marks a new era for engaging youth as partners in peace building and in countering violent extremism, as well as empowering them to be actively involved in the decision-making process", he noted. 

The declaration was unanimously approved by the Security Council members, corresponding to the special policies drawn up by Jordan to boost the role of young people and their contribution to comprehensive development. 

The Amman Youth Declaration was adopted in Jordan in August with inputs from over 10,000 young peace builders at the first-ever Global Forum on Youth, Peace, and Security, outlining the need to leverage institutional support for youth-driven initiatives and programmes. 

The UNSC’s resolution “urges member states to consider ways to increase inclusive representation of youth in decision making at all levels” and “calls on all relevant actors, including when negotiating and implementing peace agreement, to take into account… the participation and views of youth, recognising that their marginalisation is detrimental to building sustainable peace in all societies”. 

The resolution also “calls upon all parties to armed conflict to comply strictly with the obligations applicable to them under international law relevant to the protection of civilians, including those who are youth”.

The resolution comes at a time when an estimated 600 million young people live in fragile and conflict-affected settings, and at a time when there is a rise of radicalisation and violent extremism, especially among young women and men. The resolution gives a boost to youth-led peace building and conflict prevention interventions to build peaceful communities and underpin democratic, inclusive governance, according to a UN statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

On the adoption of Resolution 2250, Ahmad AlHendawi, the UN secretary general’s envoy on youth, was quoted in the statement as saying: “This is a major breakthrough in our collective efforts to change the predominantly negative narrative on youth and recognise the significant role of young people in peace building. Youth have for too long been cast away as either the perpetrators of violence or its victims.”

“This resolution recognises the significant role young people will play in how our world adapts to today’s global challenges, including those to peace and security,” Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, said.  “With youth comes energy, innovation and optimism — if there are supportive environments and opportunities,” she added, according to the UN statement.

“This resolution recognises that it is imperative for us to invest in young people to fulfill their potential and help achieve peace and security,” said Babatunde Osotimehin, the executive director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. 

“Let us transform the words in this historic Security Council resolution into concrete actions on the ground. UNFPA is committed to continue working in partnership with young people, member states and other partners to achieve this.”

Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, assistant secretary general for peace building support, commented: “With the adoption of SCR 2250, the Security Council is making history. The recognition that young people have a positive and constructive role to play in building sustainable peace and preserving international security will mark a shift in the way the world seeks to end violence and build inclusive and peaceful societies. Young women and men have always worked tirelessly at building peace and reconciling their communities, and with this resolution their work gets very much the recognition they deserve.”

Also in reaction to the resolution, Gwendolyn S. Myers, head of a youth-led NGO involved in peace building efforts in Liberia, noted: “A UN Security Council resolution on youth, peace and security legitimises the meaningful involvement of young people in peace and security issues and will accelerate the peace consolidation programmes particularly in Liberia, Africa, and other parts of the world.”

Crown Prince Hussein launched this international action while chairing a UN Security Council open debate in April on the “Role of Youth in Countering Violent Extremism and Promoting Peace”. 

At the UN session, the Crown Prince said:”The youth of today need all of you. You are the policy makers, who can impact world peace and security, and the decision makers, who can partner with young people in building efforts, instead of leaving them as a target of violence and destruction. Your generation is also in charge of drawing up education, development and economic policies.