Congo Town, Monrovia – A US$15.4 million National Action Plan for Youth, Peace, and Security (NAP-YPS) has been launched by the United Nations (UN) in Liberia through UNFPA Liberia in collaboration with the Liberian government.
The UN Security Council issued Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security in 2015 as a result of years of activism by young people worldwide, particularly in Liberia, which gave rise to the NAP-YPS.
Together with follow-up resolutions in 2018 and 2020, this resolution acknowledges the vital role that youth play in averting violence, fostering peace, and promoting constructive social change. It is a thorough structure created to guarantee that Liberia’s young people are not only shielded from harm but also given the tools they need to actively participate in peacebuilding.
Liberia proudly joins a growing group of countries that have created a National Action Plan in response to UN Security Council Resolution 2250, said Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah during the launch of the plan on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
According to her, the landmark resolution, along with its reinforcing resolutions 2419 and 2535, is a testament to the international community’s recognition of young people as positive agents of change, not merely as victims or perpetrators of violence.
Dr. Jallah, speaking on behalf of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, said that by bringing Liberians on board with this global agenda, they are not only meeting their international commitment but also adopting a new standard that views young people as vital collaborators in peacebuilding.
The initiative, according to Liberia’s Education Minister, is evidence of our government’s dedication to the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), especially its emphasis on human capital, under President Joseph N. Boakai.
“We recognize that empowering our youth is a strategic investment in our nation’s future. This plan will serve as a vital tool to facilitate the meaningful participation of young people in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development,” she said.
Leonard Kamugisha, the UNFPA Liberia Officer in Charge, also spoke, explaining that the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security is more than simply a paper; it is a road map for a safe and prosperous future for everybody. He pointed out that funding the action plan is an investment in youth, peace, and security, all of which contribute to a society that values peace even in the face of intense conflict.
According to Kamugisha, the NAP YPS implements the pertinent international and continental frameworks on youth, peace, and security and is consistent with the Rule of Law and Human Capital components of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. It also complies with UN Security Council Resolutions 2250 (adopted in 2015), 2419 (adopted in 2018), and 2535 (adopted in 2020).
“This is not merely a document; it is our collective duty to take steps like shielding young people from all types of vulnerability and averting conflicts both now and in the future. Additionally, it is a pledge to guarantee the rehabilitation and reintegration of those impacted by substance use and misuse into society,” he said.
The successful implementation of the NAP YPS is a shared journey that necessitates the commitment of every ministry, agency, funding partner, civil society organization, and, most importantly, every young Liberian, according to J. Wellington Barchue, Assistant Minister for Development Planning, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is prepared to contribute, he said, adding that the Ministry of Finance will make every effort to guarantee that the financial and technical resources required to make the plan’s vision a reality for Liberia’s youth are available.
“We can ensure a future of peace, prosperity, and limitless opportunities for everyone with your cooperation and shared dedication,” he continued.
Reported by: Prince Saah
