Your Royal Highness Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II,
Distinguished Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to first extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Your
Royal Highness for graciously sponsoring the launch ceremony of the Arab
Strategy for Youth, Peace, and Security here in Amman today. This
launch comes at a time when our Arab region is grappling with a myriad
of complex and interwoven security, political, and economic challenges.
In light of these challenges, it is imperative that our youth remain
vigilant, prepare for the future, and deeply value their homelands. We
commend this noble initiative, seeing it as a testament to the vital
role that Arab youth play in fostering peace and security across our
nations.
In this context, I cannot but offer my heartfelt respect, admiration,
and appreciation to the Palestinian youth—those who stand resolute in
the face of tyranny, steadfastly holding onto their land, and bravely
confronting the occupier’s arrogance and criminality. They have
demonstrated to the world their unwavering commitment to their land,
their identity, and their right to life. Over the past months, the world
has witnessed, through social media platforms, the heroic roles these
youth have played—including medical and civil defence teams—in rescue
and relief operations, assisting the displaced, documenting the crimes
of the enemy, and exposing its brutal practices. I say with utmost
sincerity that history will forever remember the strength, bravery, and
unwavering belief of Palestinian youth in the justice of their cause.
Your Royal Highness,
You were instrumental in the adoption of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security in 2015, which
underscored the essential role of youth in peacebuilding and maintaining
security. Today, we take a significant step forward in the path you
initiated, fully believing that this strategy—being the first of its
kind at the international level—will open promising horizons for Arab
youth to actively contribute to building peace and enhancing security in
our region.
The League of Arab States, as the collective voice of the Arab nation,
has tirelessly strived over the past decades to advance security and
peace throughout the region. It has consistently been at the forefront
of every effort aimed at resolving conflicts and crises in various Arab
countries, whether through political initiatives or diplomatic
mediation. Furthermore, the League has provided essential support to
Arab youth through an array of programmes and projects designed to build
their capacities in academic, economic, and social spheres.
Over the past three years, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab
States has dedicated itself to the development of the Arab Strategy for
Youth, Peace, and Security, underpinned by the belief that youth are
the driving force behind positive societal change. The League has been
committed to ensuring that young people have the opportunity to be
active participants in the decision-making process, thereby enhancing
their role and contribution to society. For this reason, youth have been
integral partners at every stage of the strategy's development,
including the drafting of its executive plan. From the outset to this
very moment, marked by today's discussions during the meeting of the
Council of Arab Youth Ministers, we are establishing a clear mechanism
to guarantee the participation of young men and women in the processes
of regional and global peace. This mechanism is designed to empower them
with a real role in determining their priorities in peacebuilding and
in shaping the future they rightfully deserve.
Today, we are hopeful that this strategy will serve as a catalyst for
bolstering the role of youth in political decision-making at both
national and regional levels, and that it will make a significant and
effective contribution to the realisation of peace and stability across
the Arab region.
In conclusion, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan for its unwavering efforts across the political, economic, and
social domains. We pray that God Almighty continues to protect Jordan
under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al Hussein
and his loyal Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Hussein bin
Abdullah. May God grant us all success in serving the causes of our Arab
nation.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you
