Youth4Disarmament Hosts Virtual Global Youth Consultation on Disarmament

On 19 February, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs’ (UNODA) flagship youth outreach programme, Youth4Disarmament, advanced two youth consultations to inform the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). The global consultation hosted by UNODA and the regional consultation hosted by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) both provided youth leaders with opportunities to make their voices heard on topics in youth and disarmament. 

The Global Youth Consultation on Disarmament brought together more than 100 participants to discuss the YPS agenda alongside partners from the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Branch at the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (at DPO-DPPA), the British American Security Information Council, and Peace Boat.

The event opened with remarks by UNODA’s Emilia Hannuksela, who welcomed participants and outlined the consultation’s objectives. Nanjala Nyabola, Lead Author of the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security, presented an overview of the Progress Study and underscored the importance of youth participation and feedback.

Participants then joined thematic breakout groups to discuss topics including DDR, policy coherence between the YPS agenda and disarmament, youth-led disarmament through meaningful participation and partnerships, and potential career pathways. Each group reconvened for a plenary debrief led by a youth facilitator, highlighting key takeaways from their discussion. Participants also responded to live polls, enabling organizers to capture targeted feedback across thematic areas.

Key issues highlighted in the plenary included:

1. Youth leadership: Youth should be recognized and supported as actors and partners, not only beneficiaries.
2. Meaningful participation: Youth need real space and influence in disarmament policy processes, multi stakeholder partnerships are key to ensuring inclusive participation opportunities.
3. Institutional coherence: Stronger links are needed between YPS and disarmament.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Emilia Hannuksela highlighting how outcomes connect to the Progress Study and when participants can expect to receive an update on the consultation outcomes. 

On the same day, as part of its engagement in the Working Group on Youth of the Regional Collaborative Platform for Latin America and the Caribbean, UNLIREC  participated in co-hosting a separate consultation with over 90  young people from Latin America and the Caribbean. The session was conducted in Spanish, Portuguese, and English.  The event reaffirmed a shared commitment to centering youth voices in disarmament efforts, while addressing the unique challenges faced by young people across different regions and contexts. 

These virtual consultations form part of the broader consultation phase of the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security. This phase seeks to collect youth perspectives, insights, and recommendations, with a particular focus on identifying and addressing barriers to meaningful participation in advancing peace and disarmament.