Morocco took the lead in presenting the African Union Peace and Security Council’s position on youth, peace and security at the 11th Joint Informal Seminar between the AU body and the UN Security Council in New York on Thursday.
Speaking as the council’s principal representative on the subject, Ambassador Mohammed Arrouchi stressed the growing role of young Africans in preventing and resolving conflicts.
Arrouchi highlighted young people’s contributions to peacebuilding, democratic governance, mediation and social cohesion as the continent faces evolving security threats. He called for more meaningful youth participation in peace negotiations and preventive diplomacy, urging a move beyond recognizing young people’s potential towards their effective involvement in decision-making.
He advocated greater youth representation in dialogue mechanisms and peacebuilding initiatives at national and regional levels.
The ambassador also linked peace with economic opportunity and sustainable development, arguing that youth empowerment should be integral to the continent’s security agenda. He pointed to the importance of opportunities for young Africans in entrepreneurship, innovation, trade, energy and emerging technologies.
Beyond conventional conflict prevention, Arrouchi urged greater youth involvement in responding to climate change, disinformation and the responsible use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, areas he said need more attention. Morocco’s intervention, the report adds, placed youth participation, economic empowerment and technological responsibility at the centre of discussions between the two councils.
