This present report is the first one on youth and peace and security since the Security Council adopted resolution 2250 (2015), in which the essential role of young people in preventing and resolving conflicts and in sustaining peace was recognized. That recognition has gained further momentum in the years since and was reaffirmed in Council resolution 2419 (2018) and in a statement by the President of the Council made in December 2019 (S/PRST/2019/15).
The publication of the present report coincides with significant milestones: the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, the 20th anniversary of Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security, the launch of a decade of action for the Sustainable Development Goals, the 25th anniversary of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. The observance of those milestones offers a prime opportunity to highlight the invaluable role of young people. Indeed, the United Nations is marking its anniversary with a series of dialogues held worldwide, aimed in particular at amplifying the voices and perspectives of young people in shaping the future of the world.