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On 17 April 2024, the Security Council held a debate on "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: The Role of Youth in Addressing Security Challenges in the Mediterranean". The debate was organized by the Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations (UN), in its capacity as Chair of the Security Council for the month of April, and was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta SA, Mr. Ian Borg.
The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the UN, Ms Maria Michael, made a joint statement during the debate on behalf of the EUMED9 (Cyprus, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal).
In their joint statement, the EUMED9 said that youth in the Mediterranean region is an important part of the population, which is adversely affected by the multiple challenges facing the region, such as climate change, armed conflicts, irregular migration and organised crime. Nevertheless, young people are at the forefront of addressing all the challenges at regional and global level. EUMED9 notes that the full, meaningful and effective participation of young people, including girls and young women, should be ensured at all levels of decision-making, including at the UN.
EUMED9 stresses that young people in the Mediterranean region are proving that in times of crisis they are not only resilient but also innovative. They are committed to recognising and supporting the positive role that young people can play for more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
Before the Security Council, EUMED9 made four recommendations:
First, to ensure the full, meaningful and effective participation of young people in decision-making related to peace and security issues in the Mediterranean region and beyond.
Second, the commitment of EUMED9 to continue to promote youth issues in regional organisations, which have a particularly important role to play in the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.
Thirdly, the need to recognise the link between the issues of security, climate change and the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, since climate change is undoubtedly a major existential threat to the Mediterranean region.
Fourthly, the need to allocate significant funding to the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.
In conclusion, EUMED9 states that the contribution of young people in the Mediterranean region should be an inspiration for Member States to put youth issues at the centre of their efforts, ahead of the OHE Summit of the Future, as a duty towards present and future generations.
For the full text of the EUMED9 Joint Statement click here.
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