Opening Remarks:
H.E. President Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, First woman President of Ireland, and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Speakers:
Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth
H.E. Ms. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations
H.E. Mr. José Singer Weisinger, Special Envoy to the Security Council, Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations
Ms. Nisreen Elsaim, Chair of UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group and Chair of the Sudan Youth Organization on Climate Change
Mr. Pedro Cunha, Regional Facilitator at LACEMOS, member of UNOY Peacebuilders

Closing Remarks:
H.E. Mr. Magnus Lennartsson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations

Moderator:
Ms. Jimena Leiva Roesch, Senior Fellow, and Head of Peace and Sustainable Development Program, International Peace Institute

This event will look at the practical steps and challenges involved in engaging youth on peace and security and climate action. It will also discuss a green recovery plan for the COVID-19 pandemic that would ensure a transition toward a carbon-neutral world—a win-win for people and planet. This event seeks to start the process of building a strategy for situating youth as a bridge between discussions on climate, sustainable development, and peace.

Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, young people have emerged as a powerful force calling for transformative change on climate action. In response, the UN secretary-general’s Climate Action Summit in 2019 recognized the importance of youth involvement and leadership in supporting the global transition to zero emissions. Moreover, the UN’s Strategy on Youth, “Youth2030,” calls for expanded and systematic youth engagement in all arenas. Additionally, the Declaration for the Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN recognizes that “youth is the missing piece between development and peace.” With the reality of young people in conflict being affected by climate risks, a new outlook is needed to actively involve youth in peace, security, and climate governance work and decisions. 

This event will be streamed live on IPI’s website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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