Dear Arnhild, Dear Krenare,

Dear friends, guests and participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the 7th United Nations Youth Assembly, held in close connection with the 10th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security. I thank each and every one of you for being here, and for your unwavering commitment to building a peaceful future.

We live in a world that is dynamic and evolving—one filled not only with challenges, but also with opportunities to shape a more just and sustainable tomorrow.
Young people are not only witnesses to the issues of our time; you are key drivers of the solutions. Over 600 million youth live in areas affected by conflict and fragility. Your resilience, your creativity, and your commitment to change have never been more essential.

Across the globe, young people are rising—bringing fresh ideas, courage, and energy to peacebuilding efforts, particularly at the grassroots level, where real and lasting change takes root.

Yet, much work remains to ensure youth voices are fully heard, and your potential fully realized. Too often, youth perspectives, knowledge, and lived experience are undervalued—even though they provide vital insight and innovative approaches to peace and development. In Europe, for example, only 4% of state-level parliamentarians are under 30.
And while youth involvement in political and peace processes has often been symbolic, there is now a growing recognition: genuine inclusion of youth leads to more durable and inclusive peace.

Despite persistent stereotypes and generational divides, youth are stepping forward, bridging gaps, and claiming space in decision-making. Even when facing financial and socio-economic barriers, you find ways to contribute meaningfully.

One inspiring example is Climate Cardinals, a youth-led nonprofit that receives just 0.76% of global climate funding from the largest foundations—yet has made a disproportionately large impact through translation, awareness, and advocacy.

This is proof: youth-led organizations create real change. With sustainable funding and structured support, their reach and impact can grow exponentially.

Dear Friends,

We must change the narrative. The sustainability of youth participation needs to be reimagined.

You are champions of justice, equality, and inclusion—foundations for lasting peace and security. And we have already seen how meaningful youth engagement transforms societies.
When elders, governments, and youth work together as equals, peace becomes not just possible, but probable.

That is why UNMIK is here—to support your efforts and to forge authentic partnerships that elevate your leadership. We are committed to investing in your capacity, guided by the UN’s Pact for the Future, which seeks to address the key barriers youth face: essentialism, tokenism, and securitization.

We are here to advocate with you and for you, so that youth are included at every stage of decision-making—from conflict prevention to peace implementation.

As highlighted in the latest report of the UN Secretary-General on Youth, Peace and Security (2024), young people must no longer be seen as passive participants. They are agents of change, and their participation must be genuine, well-resourced, and embedded in policy.

Governments, international bodies, and communities must ensure spaces where youth not only participate, but lead.

To the young leaders here from the Western Balkans and beyond—your work is not only vital, it is visionary.

In this region alone, over 20% of the population is under the age of 30. Yet youth unemployment remains one of the highest in Europe, often exceeding 30%. But these numbers do not define you—they highlight the urgency of creating opportunities, and the importance of your efforts in peacebuilding, governance, and innovation.

Your courage, your ideas, and your energy inspire hope—not only for this region, but for the world.

You embody the spirit of peace and sustainability, the theme that defines this year’s Youth Assembly.

Yes, the challenges ahead are immense. But so is your potential to lead, to inspire, and to sustain momentum.

I will continue to encourage governments, institutions, and international partners to support youth-led peacebuilding with durable resources, capacity-building programs, and full participation in decision-making.

And to all of you—today’s youth, and those who will follow in your footsteps—I urge you to keep raising your voices, building bridges, and leading the way.

Together, we can build societies where peace is not fragile but resilient, where youth are not sidelined but central to progress.

The future belongs to you. And peace begins with all of us.

Let us stand with you, work alongside you, and learn from you—so that peace and security are not just words, but lived realities for all.

Thank you.