Nairobi, Kenya โ The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Youth Peace and Security Conference, supported by Japan, has officially commenced in Nairobi. The conference, held from August 13-14, 2025 , is themed โInstitutionalising Participation of Youth in Peace Processes,โ and brings together youth peacebuilders, activists, and leaders from across the IGAD region.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the IGAD Executive Secretary, delivered a powerful message, urging the youth to recognize their influence in the digital age. โIn todayโs digital age, it takes just one individual to threaten global peace,โ he stated. โNever underestimate your power or your tools. We would all suffer from a deficit of peace, so we must protect it.โ Dr. Gebeyehu also took to his social media account to underscore the necessity of youth involvement in governance, writing, โPeace and development go hand in hand; there is no peace without youth, and no future for youth without peace.โ
The Executive Secretary praised the youth as a โshining beacon of hopeโ and recognized their bravery in refusing to accept conflict as their destiny. He highlighted IGADโs commitment to empowering young people, noting that through its Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN), young people have become the โeyes and ears of peace in their communitiesโ. The IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE), established in 2018 , has also trained over 500 young community leaders in counter-messaging and community resilience. Additionally, the IGAD Youth Policy Framework 2021-2030, which was adopted with unprecedented consensus , serves as a โcovenant with the futureโ.
Mr. Ogwal Sam, the IGADโs Special Youth Envoy, delivered a keynote address reinforcing the importance of youth engagement, stating, โWith youth making up nearly 60% of every IGAD member state, there can be no peace or development without them.โ He emphasized the need to remove barriers and create opportunities for young people, referencing conflicts from Sudan to the South Sudan-Uganda border.
Gebeyehu pointed out that with youth under the age of 30 constituting over 60% of the total population in the IGAD region, the area stands at a crossroads. He stated, โWe can either harness this demographic dividend for peace and prosperity, or watch it become a source of instabilityโ. He also acknowledged the youth who are demanding their rightful place in peace processes , citing examples from Sudan and Kenya, as well as displaced young people in refugee camps.
The event, supported by the Government of Japan, is a testament to the commitment of both IGAD and its partners to fostering youth leadership and meaningful engagement in peace and security efforts.
Commander Abebe Muluneh, Director of IGADโs Peace Division, expressed his honor to be at the conference, highlighting the vital role of institutionalizing youth participation in peace processes across the region. The statement concluded with a powerful declaration: โThe age of youth as passive beneficiaries is overโ. โThe age of youth as partners in peace has begunโ. Gebeyehu called for the conference to be a commitment to institutionalize youth participation as a โfundamental requirement for sustainable peaceโ.
The conference has brought together a diverse group of participants, including refugees, cross-border youth, policymakers, and development partners, all united in their commitment to shaping a more peaceful and inclusive future for the IGAD region.
