Minister Hasani,

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

Allow me to start by thanking Albania for organizing this timely side event. Germany is proud to be a co-sponsor.

The Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda is an important priority for Germany for many years. During our recent term in the Security Council (2019/2020) advancing YPS was a central theme for us, culminating in the adoption of Resolution 2535 in July 2020 under the German presidency.

In a world grappling with crises and conflicts, we have a moral obligation to include every drivers of change in support of peace and reconciliation. Young people, including young women and girls, are without any doubt, such an indispensable driver of change.

Including youth is not a mere gesture of inclusion into existing peace processes (or some other kind of tokenism) it is a deliberate, farsighted and strategic investment in building resilient societies more effectively and achieving peace, that is durable and lasting.

On the occasion of our 50th anniversary as a member of the UN we organized a youth conference in Berlin in June this year. It was dedicated to youth participation, as the younger generations are particularly affected by the great challenges of our time and therefore need to have a say when we discuss issues like climate crisis, education the digital transformation, and of course peace.

Colleagues, being in the United Nations is a lot about exchanging positions, but sometimes also about sharing experiences.

I am very happy to sit here next to my friend and sister Diarra from France. I believe, with regard to youth participation in peace and reconciliation, our two countries have something to share with others: the Franco-German Youth Office.

This joint office is a testament to our joint lessons from history. I am a very happy and proud that Tobias Bütow is here today with us as a panellist. Tobias is steering the Franco-German Youth Office as Secretary General together with Anne Tallineau from France who unfortunately is not able to join us today. Tobias will provide a perspective on the very important role that youth exchange and the development of shared perspectives on a violent past can play in fostering peace and reconciliation.

The Franco-German Youth exchange has shaped generations of young women and men in France and Germany. The transformative potential of youth engagement was certainly a key element in shaping an enduring partnership and trust between France and Germany that transcends the state of relationship of our respective governments and it was instrumental in the creation of deep friendship at a levels of our societies.

On a personal note, I am certainly a product of this very cooperation. I discovered France and the French through this programme. It helped me to study in France where I promoted. And it led me all the way to being an exchange diplomat in the Quai d’Orsay for several years. And the same applies to my son, who after many stays in France decided to attend a French-German school in Berlin and finish with Franco-German High School Degree.

I am equally looking forward to hearing about regional Youth Cooperation in the Western Balkans region – that is in part a tangible result of the Berlin Process. I believe that these concrete examples have the potential to inspire other regions in their efforts to overcome conflict, grievances, past and present, and build bridges for peaceful cooperation.

One final thought: As one of the Co-Facilitators for the Summit of the Future, Germany strives to substantially advance meaningful youth engagement.

Integrating youth into conflict prevention, peacebuilding initiatives, and sustainable peace processes should be an important element of the Pact for the Future.

Just one concrete example: By strengthening the Peacebuilding Fund, we can ensure more consistent funding for youth-led organizations, to make sure that young people have a meaningful impact in promoting peace.

If done right, the Summit can create a unique momentum to advance the YPS agenda.

Thank you.