AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. President.

The United States wishes to commend Peru and Sweden for their efforts to make sure that the Security Council recognizes the role of youth in issues of peace and security.

This resolution has a number of important elements. In particular, the United States appreciates that the Council will now recognize the role of education and sports in the promoting tolerance and respect for others. Promoting peace and avoiding conflict starts with developing these values in our youth, who will be the next generation’s peacemakers. Today’s resolution goes a long way towards recognizing the steps that we need to take.

The United States regrets, however, that the resolution did not contain language on Preventing Violent Extremism, PVE. This concept is not new, and it should not be controversial. The goal of PVE is to address the factors that lead some to turn toward violence, so that we stop the cycle of recruitment to terrorist organizations. This resolution was a missed opportunity to promote the fact that youth should be involved when Member States develop action plans to address PVE. UN agencies such as UNDP and UNOCT are deeply involved in these efforts, and there is no reason why the Council should not be able to further recognize and support these critical efforts on PVE.

Finally, the Council should not be rolling back language on technology and the Internet. This resolution should have used the most recent language on the issue, as reflected in Security Council Resolution 2396. Resolution 2396 should be our baseline going forward.

Thank you again to Peru and Sweden for their efforts, and we look forward to the Secretary-General’s report on Youth in 2020.

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