Vienna-based United Nations offices and institutions marked the tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.

The celebration brought together young leaders, diplomats, and experts to spotlight youth participation and the role of disarmament in building lasting peace.

It showed the commitment of the Vienna-based organizations, including CTBTO, IAEA, UNIDO, UNODA, UNODC and UNOOSA, to supporting meaningful youth engagement across mandates like crime prevention, criminal justice reform, violence prevention, and disarmament education.

The event focused on two panel discussions followed by an art exhibition by young artists.

Across these interventions recommendations to advance the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda were put forward, such as:

  • Strengthening meaningful youth engagement: Establish structured mechanisms like youth advisory groups, youth delegates and standing consultation forums that involve young people in decision-making and programme design, with particular attention to youth from conflict-affected and developing regions. Develop and enhance youth mainstreaming technical assistance at the country-level.

  • Ensuring inclusive and diverse representation: Use varied consultation channels, including digital tools, and work with grassroots youth groups to reach underrepresented youth. Provide clear pathways to join Youth, Peace and Security networks and enhance entity-specific guidance.

  • Leveraging innovative methods and partnerships: Promote digital advocacy and creative communication, and strengthen cooperation among UN entities, academia and civil society to co-develop solutions.

  • Scaling up investment in youth capacity: Increase support for youth-led initiatives and skill development in peacebuilding, disarmament and emerging technologies.

  • Strengthening intergenerational policy development: Create formal opportunities for youth to contribute to policy, guidance and programme design, and integrate youth feedback, including survey inputs into strategic planning and the upcoming Youth, Peace and Security progress study.

Many thanks to all the event contributors for making it a success, including the Permanent Mission of the European Union, the Permanent Mission of Finland, the Permanent Mission of Jordan, the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic, Member State participants, youth networks, and Vienna-based organizations.