Discorso pronunciato dall’Ambasciatore Inigo Lambertini, Vice Rappresentante Permanente dell’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite, al Dibattito Aperto in Consiglio di Sicurezza su “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Youth, Peace and Security” —
Quiero empezar agradeciendo la Presidenza Peruviana del Consejo por la organización de ese, muy oportuno, debate abierto su Juventud, Paz y Seguridad.
Señor Presidente,
and I also would like to thank Graeme Simpson, who has done a tremendous job as lead author of the Progress Study, and to all the briefers that today have given us very insightful and thorough presentations, starting from the SG’s Envoy – whose work we enthusiastically support.
Mr. President,
Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and the statement that will be delivered by Romania on behalf of the Peace Building Commission and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity.
My Country firmly believes that in today’s world young people are a vital driver for peace, change, and prosperity.
Their specific sensitiveness and forward-looking approach, as well as their idealism, creativity and energy, can meaningfully contribute to building and sustaining peace, providing long-term sustainable solutions and fostering conflict prevention and reconciliation.
Mr. President,
Italy is strongly committed to the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda. We were the first Member State to provide support to the Office of the SG’s Envoy on Youth after her appointment as the new Envoy.
In our vision, youth policies represent the best link between the Peace and Security Agenda and the Agenda 2030, in coherence with the view on Sustaining Peace by the Secretary-General Guterres. In this spirit, I am glad to announce today that the Government of Italy has decided to finance a major initiative for bridging the two Agendas and supporting their joint youth-led implementation. Through an initial allocation of half a million US dollars to DESA, Italy is contributing to the development of a new project denominated “Young People’s Contributions to Sustainable Peace in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda”, devised by DESA in cooperation with several other UN agencies, including the Office of the SG’s Envoy on Youth, PBSO and UNDP.
This project is aimed at strengthening the capacities of government officials, youth organizations and civil society partners in the formulation and implementation of national policies and programmes promoting sustainable peace and security. Through an open and inclusive participatory process, the project will design and test key-instruments for promoting the participation of young women and men in processes geared at preventing violent conflict and sustaining peace in their societies. The outcomes of the project will be first implemented in pilot countries in the Africa and MENA Region.
We are also committed in building in our own country networks of young peacebuilders and activists, and for the first time the Italian government, through an inclusive selection process among the civil society, has appointed two Youth Delegates who, through a nation-wide advocacy action as well as participation at meetings here at UNHQ, are helping promote the culture of youth’s active participation in the processes of peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Mr. President,
Finally, the role of the Security Council is pivotal in promoting the role of youth in peace and security, and to this goal we would encourage – as recommended in the Progress Study – the institution of an informal working group on Youth, Peace and Security, akin to the one on Women, Peace and Security. We need to continue tirelessly to push this agenda, in the interest of all, and be sure that you can count on Italy’s full support and long-term commitment in this regard.
I thank you.
