REMARKS BY ITALY’S DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE GIANLUCA GRECO
Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the UN Youth Office which – under the leadership of ASG Felipe Paullier – continues to deliver remarkable work in strengthening meaningful youth engagement across sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security’ dossiers. Your efforts allow the United Nations system to embed youth perspectives at every level, transforming the way Member States understand and look at global challenges.
Today, Italy is pleased to join in celebrating the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2250. This landmark resolution did more than establish a new policy framework: it launched a new era in recognizing the essential role of young people as true agents of peace. As we mark this important anniversary, today, we have the opportunity to reflect on key findings, share lessons learned, highlight best practices and consider the way forward for the Youth, Peace and Security agenda in the decade to come.
In a rapidly changing and often unpredictable international landscape, ensuring that young people have real opportunities to lead and to influence decision-making is not only important—it is indispensable. There are many ways in which youth can contribute to peace and stability: through political participation, including the ability to run for office and engage in public life; through community-level initiatives where their involvement can significantly strengthen sustainable peace; through their active role in preventing and solving conflicts.
Around the world, young people have adapted to protect their communities and support one another in difficult moments. Youth demonstrated to possess light, passion, commitment and bravery. This is the inspiring legacy of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda: a movement grounded in the belief that investing in young people means investing in peace and security itself. They are not only beneficiaries of peace; they are the architects of our shared future.
Yet, to make real progress, youth must have a concrete seat at national, regional, and international decision-making tables. They need long-term support, mentorship opportunities and the concrete opportunity to transform their ideas into action. Italy is deeply committed to this agenda.
This year, our Youth Delegates – Sara Valente and Andrea Dongili – represented the voices of Italian youth at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, engaging constructively with representatives from around the world. Their work begins at home and continues at home: through meetings, events, and dialogues with new generations, they foster a more inclusive and participatory approach to global youth policies. We look forward to welcoming them again in 2026, with new initiatives and further opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Advancing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda requires sustained commitment, broad cooperation, and concrete, measurable action. We are therefore proud to highlight the Youth Declaration for Peace in the Mediterranean, a youth-driven platform supported by Italy that advances concrete proposals for conflict prevention, intercultural dialogue, and inclusive governance across our region. This initiative demonstrates the transformative potential of meaningful youth leadership when it is recognized, enabled, and supported.
Around the world, young people have shown that they are not simply participants, but true drivers of inclusive, innovative, and sustainable solutions to conflict and insecurity. Their energy, creativity and determination continue to shape the global conversation—and to remind us that peace is stronger when young people are at its center.
Thank you.
REMARKS BY COORDINATOR FOR WOMEN PEACE AND SECURITY (WPS), YOUTH PEACE AND SECURITY (YPS) AND MEDIATION POLICIESAT THE HIGH-LEVEL STOCKTAKING EVENT ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNSCR 2250
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Italy is honoured to take the floor at this High-Level Stocktaking Event marking ten years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2250 and we join others in applauding the adoption by UNSC of the new Resolution 2807, which further strengthens the YPS Agenda.
With our first National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, becoming the second country in Europe and among the pioneers worldwide in adopting such a framework. These efforts stem from our firm belief that policies and actions for peace are stronger when young people help shape them.
The Italian NAP is a product of an inclusive process, involving institutional stakeholders, youth organizations, and civil society. I am proud to say that the entire Chapter 2 – Actions segment of the NAP made of 15 actions – has been directly drafted by youth.
Co-creation with youth needs to become the golden standard in public policy, not an episodic initiative.
Our plan – which will hopefully benefit from dedicated funding – also highlights cross-cutting dimensions: with the environment and climate, digital challenges, food security, cultural rights, and disarmament — that provide a multidimensional perspective to the YPS Agenda.
As we look towards the next decade of the Agenda, Italy believes that five priorities are essential:
1. Strengthening the UN Youth Office and the YPS International Secretariat, so that they can eventually become for YPS a centre of expertise, advocacy, and coordination;
2. Ensuring adequate and predictable financing for youth-led peacebuilding initiatives, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings;
3. As per the new Resolution 2807, encouraging the adoption and implementation of National Action Plans that guarantee institutional
continuity, measurable commitments and meaningful youth participation;
4. Increasingly linking YPS and WPS – different and separate Agendas that have the same goal;
5. Creating a Network of National Focal Points on YPS, gathering Capitals-based diplomats and experts from member States to exchange best practices and discuss ways to further advance the implementation of the Agenda.
Excellencies,
Italy stands ready to continue working with the United Nations, Member States and youth organizations in this common effort to advance the YPS Agenda.
I now hand over to Maria Cristina Pisani, President of the National Youth Council of Italy. Thank you.
