Marrakech – Morocco has taken a significant step forward in advocating for the role of youth in peace and security during the 11th Joint Informal Seminar held between the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the United Nations Security Council in New York. Morocco's Permanent Representative to the AU and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Ambassador Mohammed Arrouchi, served as the principal voice for the African Union on this crucial topic, underscoring the vital contributions of young Africans in the realms of conflict prevention and resolution.
In his address, Ambassador Arrouchi highlighted the essential role that young people play in peacebuilding, democratic governance, mediation, and fostering social cohesion. He argued that as Africa faces an array of evolving security threats, the engagement of youth has never been more critical. By emphasizing the importance of their participation, he called for a shift from merely acknowledging the potential of young individuals to ensuring their substantial involvement in decision-making processes.
The ambassador passionately advocated for enhanced representation of youth in dialogue mechanisms and peacebuilding initiatives at both national and regional levels. This call to action is particularly vital in initiatives aimed at preventing conflicts and enhancing social unity across the continent. Furthermore, Arrouchi linked the concepts of peace, economic opportunity, and sustainable development, asserting that empowering youth must be an integral part of Africa's broader security agenda.
He pointed out that creating pathways for young Africans in entrepreneurship, innovation, trade, energy, and emerging technologies is essential not only for development but also for fostering long-term peace and stability. By framing economic inclusion as a key component of peace efforts, Morocco is positioning youth empowerment as a fundamental element of its security strategy.
Moreover, Ambassador Arrouchi urged for increased youth involvement in tackling emerging challenges that significantly impact Africa’s peace and security landscape. He specifically mentioned pressing issues such as climate change, the spread of disinformation, and the responsible use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, as critical areas where the youth can make a difference. By integrating young people into these efforts, he emphasized their potential to contribute to effective responses to the increasingly complex security environment.
Morocco's intervention at the seminar successfully positioned youth participation, economic empowerment, and technological accountability at the forefront of discussions between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
