The United Nations (UN) in Liberia through UNFPA Liberia in partnership with the Government of Liberia have launch a US$15.4 million National Action Plan for Youth, Peace and Security (NAP-YPS). The NAP-YPS is the outcome of years of advocacy by young people around the world, including Liberia, which led to the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security, which was adopted in 2015.
This resolution, along with follow-up resolutions in 2018 and 2020, recognizes the critical role of young people in preventing conflict, building peace, and driving positive social change. It is a comprehensive framework designed to ensure that the youth of Liberia are not only protected from violence but are also empowered to become active partners in peacebuilding.
Speaking Friday, August 29, 2025 during the launch at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Liberia’s Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah said that with this plan, Liberia proudly joins a growing community of nations that have developed a National Action Plan in response to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250.
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. Representing Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Dr. Jallah stated that by aligning Liberians with this global agenda, they are not just fulfilling an international obligation but embracing a new norm that sees youth as critical partners in peacebuilding. The Education Minister explained that the plan is a testament to the commitment of the government led by President Joseph N. Boakai, and to the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), particularly its focus on Human Capital.
“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.
Also speaking, the Officer in Charge of UNFPA Liberia, Leonard Kamugisha, narrated that this National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security is not just a document; it is a roadmap to secure and prosperous future for all. He noted that investing in the plan is an investment in youth, peace and security, which translates into having a society that prioritizes peace even when disagreements are high.
Kamugisha explained that the NAP-YPS is in line with the Rule of Law and Human Capital components of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and also consistent with the UN Security Council Resolutions 2250 (adopted in 2015), 2419 (adopted in 2018), and 2535 (adopted in 2020), and put into practice the relevant international and continental frameworks on Youth, Peace, and Security.
“This is not just a document; it is a shared responsibility to take actions such as protecting youth from all forms of vulnerability and preventing conflicts now and in the future. It is also a commitment to ensure that are affected by substance use and abuse are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society,” he stated.
For his part, J. Wellington Barchue, Assistant Minister for Development Planning, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning said the successful implementation of the NAP YPS is not the sole responsibility of one Ministry, it is a shared journey that requires the dedication of every ministry, every agency, every funding partner, every civil society organization, and, most importantly, every young Liberian.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning stands ready to play its part, pledging to work tirelessly to ensure that the necessary financial and technical resources are available to turn the vision outlined in this plan into a tangible reality for Liberia’s youth. “With your partnership and collective commitment, we can secure a future of peace, prosperity, and endless possibilities for all,” he added.
