Ambasadorial level meeting of the Peacebuilding Commision

    STATEMENT

   by

H.E. Mr. Sven Alkalaj

Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN

at

Ambasadorial level meeting of the Peacebuilding Commision, on Tuesday, 11th February 2020

At the outset, I would like to thank H.E. Mr. Guillermo Fernandez de Soto, Vice-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and the United Nations Envoy of the Secretary-General on Youth Ms. Jayathma Wikramanayake for convening this important meeting, as well as the other participants for their valuable briefings.

I would like to join others in thanking three encouraging and brave youth representatives who briefed us today. I was very inspired by what they shared with us and I’m confident that their work and effort will ensure better future and reconciliation processes in their countries and regions. Allow me to welcome remarks by Ms. Barucija on the activities and progress of the work of youth in my country, positive practices, Dialog for the Future and need for regional and subregional approach.

We are fully committed to resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security and are continuously supporting and encouraging youth participation in the overall peacebuilding processes. There are numerous projects funded and supported by the United Nations and UN-affiliated agencies, European Union and NGO’s related to young people’s contribution to peace and reconciliation. More importantly, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities at all levels are addressing youth unemployment and eliminating the key barriers to creating new jobs as one of the biggest obstacles in post-conflict peacebuilding period of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We’re grateful to the UNDP for continuing efforts in addressing youth unemployment and support to programs and activities of the Public Employment Agencies and local communities in order to deliver integrated measures for youth employment.

We in Bosnia and Herzegovina pay great importance to the peace and security especially to young generations which suffered greatly during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 to 1995. The trauma and suffering they experienced are still very fresh 25 years later.

Therefore Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterates the importance of youth participation in peacebuilding processes, including social and economic development and providing to youth employment opportunities, training for their advancement and actively supporting fostering their education and productive political engagement.

I would like to underline the importance of the creation of educational and extracurricular programs and activities for young people with regard to the promotion of values that go beyond ethnic and entity lines. In that regard, it is of utmost significance to provide extensive investments and sustainable funding for these activities.

In that regard, Bosnia and Herzegovina calls upon the Member States to support quality education for peace at all levels that empowers youth to engage constructively in social and economic structures and inclusive political processes.

Bosnia and Herzegovina urges UN agencies and all relevant international stakeholders to contemplate relevant mechanisms to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, intercultural and interreligious dialogue that involve above all youth. Above mentioned is of essential importance in order to discourage their involvement in acts of violence, terrorism, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you again for giving us the opportunity to address this important issue.