Delivered by Permanent Representative of Estonia to UN Mr. Sven Jürgenson
Thank you Mr President,
I thank today’s briefers for their excellent presentations and the Dominican Republic for their leadership in taking this topic forward in the Council.
We note with appreciation that for the first time ever we have a report of the Secretary General on youth, peace and security. We hope this can be a regular occurrence to ensure a consistent focus on this topic by the Security Council.
It is very simple – we cannot help build peaceful societies, if we do not include the youth. Right to participate in public life is a human right. Meaningful youth participation remains a challenge throughout the world and those in power do not always welcome it. As the Secretary-General’s report points out, in 2020, there are 1.85 billion young women and men, 10 to 24 years of age in the world. 90% of them live in developing countries and many in areas of conflict. Providing young people with various backgrounds meaningful and genuine ways to participate and shape their societies is one way to avoid tensions and conflicts and to ensure peace instead. If we fail to do that, we risk alienating the ones who are to take our societies and our world forward. We all must do more to create an enabling environment for the youth.
It is important that we recognize the growing role youth play in peace and security. There are still visible barriers to youth participation in decision-making. Youth activists continue to be subject of human rights violations and abuses. Any threats, attacks and acts of intimidation made against youth peacebuilders, human rights defenders, especially women activists, are unacceptable. Young women often face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and marginalization. In addition to harassment and acts of violence the young women participating in political and public life often suffer from, their economic and educational opportunities are often limited, which also leaves them more vulnerable in the long run.
We welcome the Secretary-General’s recommendation for the meaningful participation of youth in peace and security efforts as well as for a greater interaction with youth representatives, young peacebuilders and young human rights defenders, including on its Security Council country visits.
Young people are a huge source of new ideas, solutions and innovation. During the current pandemic, however, they can be among the greatest victims. According to estimates, an additional 42-66 million children could fall into extreme poverty. UNESCO analysis shows that 91% of the world’s students are affected by school closures, and more than 1.5 billion students in 191 countries have trouble continuing their studies normally. This will lead to increased educational gaps, serious damage to the prospects for a better future and can potentially lay seeds of radicalization among young people, constituting a threat to peace and security.
Utilizing digital solutions and distance learning platforms is one way to alleviate the effects of school closures. Today, during the pandemic, these e-education capacities have helped us to avoid the paralysis of our educational system. Children and youth being able to stay connected and carry on studying is essential. A broader implementation of digital learning would make education more accessible for all groups and would help to limit the risk of increased social inequality. Bridging a gender digital divide in this regard is crucial.
We are glad to note that the EU has been a frontrunner in implementing the YPS agenda and remains strongly committed to realizing UNSCRs 2250 and 2419 on Youth, Peace and Security. The EU was among the first multilateral organizations to partner with the UN in the implementation of the YPS agenda. It is currently supporting close to 30 youth-oriented conflict prevention and crisis response actions on four continents.
The young people are there to remind us that we need to take a long term and forward looking approach in peace and security, as well as on climate and human rights. It is their right. I am sure that multilateralism has a lot to win from encouraging and supporting youth.
I thank you