Crown Prince to chair UNSC meeting on youth and extremism

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein will chair the UN Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the “Role of Youth in Countering Violent Extremism and Promoting Peace”, slated for April 23, a diplomat announced.

Jordan’s permanent representative at UNSC, Dina Kawar, who has assumed the rotating month-long presidency of the council, described the debate on Saturday as “important”, explaining that Jordan has arranged the meeting on the backdrop of the rise of radicalism and violent extremism, especially amongst the youth.
Violent extremism is one of the most pressing threats to peace, stability and development of our time and future, according to Kawar.

The Prince has been engaged in many activities related to young people’s issues, a topic that he is focusing on, and his participation in the up-coming ministerial meeting is one of these foremost activities at the international level, the Jordanian diplomat said at a press conference in New York.
The UN secretary general’s envoy on youth, Ahmad Al Hendawi, welcomed the announcement in a statement.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity where the Security Council will be debating how to empower young people, who are often the most affected by conflict, to contribute positively to countering violent extremism and promoting peace. We are grateful to the government of Jordan for championing the important agenda around youth, peace and security,” he said.

The open debate will address the nexus between youth, violent extremism, sustainable development, and the social and economic dimensions. Furthermore, the debate will cover how radicalisation among youth can be mitigated and prevented, starting at an early age, through developing appropriate sustainable development strategies that meet their basic needs, according to the UN website.