11th Meeting - 60th Session of Human Rights Council

Good morning, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues. I hereby declare open the 11th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. We will now begin with the biennial panel discussion on youth and human rights, held pursuant to Council resolutions 51/17 and 57/30. The theme of this year's panel is role of youth in fostering peaceful societies and creating an enabling environment for the enjoyment of human rights by all. This panel discussion is accessible to persons with disabilities through the provision of international sign interpretation and real-time captioning, together with the other accessibility measures. So it is my honor to welcome Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. who will deliver an opening statement in person. Madam. Also, I welcome Mr. Felipe Poyet, the Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs, who will deliver an opening statement by video. Let me also welcome our distinguished panelists, Ms. Nelly Monzon, the coordinator for the Nabil Project and Secretary of the non-governmental organization Young Artists for Social Society, Justice, I'm sorry. Mr. Hamish Knott, member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Mr. Pala Krow, global advocacy and program advisor at the Norwegian Students and Academics International Assistance Fund. And Mr. Bakari Suko, co-founder and national programs coordinator of Peace Hub, the Gambia. Dear colleagues, the list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I encourage all speakers to intervene in an interactive way, present comments and ask questions that reflect the panelists' interventions and discussion. The speaking time limit is one minute and 30 seconds for all, and a minimum of 40 speakers will be accommodated. Delegates inscribed on the list of speakers who cannot take the floor due to the time constraints can upload their statements to be posted on the Extranet. Now I have the honor to invite the Deputy High Commissioner to deliver her opening statement. Madam, please.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Good morning, your excellencies, dear panelists, and dear young people. Every two years, this council hears directly from our youth, those who hold the keys to our future and are already shaping our present. It is a great pleasure to address you today and even greater to see so many young changemakers among us in this hall. Over the past week, this Council has heard about escalating crises, sufferings, and human rights violations, alongside many calls to strengthen the human rights ecosystem. Youth are our essential partners in this task. Today, there are 1.9 billion young people in the world, an immense resource of ideas, energy, and values. And yet, year after year, their voices go unheard. From the occupied Palestinian territory to Sudan to Ukraine, young lives are being cut short by conflict and opportunities erased. In 2024, attacks on learning facilities rose by an estimated 44 percent, leaving millions of children and youth out of the classroom. Attacks on young people who defend democracy and human rights are growing, and we must not turn away. From the young protesters in Nepal, to the Serbian students holding firm in the face of crackdowns and violence, to the student movement that led last year's protests in Bangladesh, we must stand with those who are speaking out for justice. There is a global pushback on freedom of expression for young people. In some countries, students are being subjected to surveillance. They are being suspended, expelled, and even deported for their legitimate activism. Young people's compassion and urge to fight for change are not threats. They are our very best hope. Technology is playing a complex role. When unregulated and misused, it fuels cyberbullying and loneliness. Many young people are feeling hopeless and frustrated by their perceived powerlessness in the face of today's challenges. For the first time, they are reporting poorer mental health than any other age group. We must ensure that young people are safe online while benefiting from the extraordinary opportunities that digital tools provide. And we must extend those opportunities to the estimated one in five young people who remain offline. These challenges weigh heaviest on marginalized youth, and by that I mean migrants, refugees, young persons with disabilities, and all those living in poverty. Young women in many countries are still held back by discriminatory laws and social norms. Your Excellencies, dear guests, how can young people create an enabling environment for human rights if their own rights are not upheld? With more than half of the world's population under 30, there are only 2.8% of young parliamentarians. I think we have one today with us. This remains indefensible, especially as time and again, we see youth leading movements, advancing humanitarian response, and championing change. In Gaza, where international media are banned, young people climb over the rubble to find a phone signal, determined to tell their truth, their stories, to the world. Students at the University of the South Pacific initiated the legal case that led to the historic ruling by the International Court of Justice on climate change. Some governments are taking promising steps. from quotas for youth participation in state bodies to youth councils and youth-led policy platforms. In Norway, for example, Norway places young people's contributions at the center of climate policymaking by including them in both domestic discussions and international climate negotiations. In Armenia, India, and Lesotho, governments have pioneered new strategies and policies on youth development, participation, and skills, aiming to create a supportive environment and a future-ready generation. We are fortunate indeed to have some youth representatives with us today who will provide firsthand accounts of how they are leading peacebuilding and political efforts. Youth inclusion is a UN-wide priority. Ten years ago, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 recognized the central role of youth in building and sustaining peace. Since then, we've had the UN Youth Strategy, the Call to Action for Human Rights, Our Common Agenda, and the Pact for the Future, all of which have highlighted the transformative power of youth and called for their meaningful inclusion. Our office remains fully committed to supporting these efforts. With our partners, Education Above All, we launched a project called YES, Youth Empowerment System, to build youth capacity in Colombia, Guatemala, Lebanon, Palestine, Senegal, and South Africa. And our Youth Rights Academy is working to strengthen youth human rights activism globally. We are engaging with young human rights defenders in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, in Serbia, and beyond, to amplify their voices and support them in their fight for peace, equality, and justice. Your Excellencies, dear youth, distinguished guests, the paradox of our time is that we are trying to solve novel and emerging challenges with somewhat dated approaches. To move forward, we need tools and frameworks that are fit for today, based on inclusive and meaningful dialogue, and I believe youth can help devise them. My office urges all governments to work with, not against, their youth. All youth. regardless of nationality, gender, ability, or sexual orientation, must be able to participate in decisions that define their future. We must invest in youth leadership by creating safe and enabling environments, by reforming laws and institutions, and by removing financial and knowledge barriers. We must also invest in human rights education. With international law under such severe strain, Youth can mobilize to ensure that justice and respect for the rules are back at the core of the international system. As communities descend into polarization, youth can build bridges to chart a path out. As conflicts, climate change, and new technologies challenge human rights, youth can innovate to safeguard our common future. Let us give them the space, the trust, and the tools to lead. Thank you very much.

I thank you, Deputy High Commissioner. And now let's look at the message sent via video by the Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs.

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening to everyone. My name is Felipe Polier, and I serve as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. It is an honor to address you at this biennial panel discussion on youth and human rights during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. We gather today at the moment of extraordinary significance. Not just because we are marking the 10th anniversary of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda this year, but because we are witnessing something very profound. Young people worldwide are not waiting for permission to build the peaceful and just societies they deserve. From the streets of their cities to the halls of power, from digital spaces to community centers, 1.9 billion young people are already leading. They are defending human rights. They are bridging divides. They are creating solutions that governments and institutions are still catching up to. But here's what we must confront very honestly. Young leaders and human rights defenders are facing significant barriers in their daily work and activism. Young people in marginalized communities, especially young women, those with disabilities, and those in conflict zones, are systematically excluded from the very decisions that shape their futures. This isn't just unfair, it is very dangerous. Because when we neglect to hear young people, we not only deny the right to shape the future, we also deny ourselves the best chance at a safer, more sustainable, and more just world. That's why discussions such as the one we're having today matter so much. We are not here to talk about youth. We're here to listen to them. We're here to learn from them and to commit to real change. The frameworks are already here. Security Council Resolution 2250 gave us a blueprint with meaningful youth participation at its very core. The Pact for the Future, adopted just one year ago, renewed our commitment to systematically listen to and working with young people. Our common agenda and Youth 2030 show us the way forward. But foundations mean nothing without action. So today, let's move beyond recognition to real partnership. Let's move beyond consultation to power sharing. Let's move beyond tokenism and ensure that meaningful youth participation becomes not just a promise, but a practice we live. Because the young people in this room and the millions their voices represent aren't just our future. They are our present. They are our partners. And they are our hope for creating the peaceful, the inclusive world that is possible when we truly work together. Thank you very much.

OK. I will now give the floor to the panelists for their initial presentations. So I invite Ms. Nelly Monzon. Madam, please.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it was an honor to address you as the spokesperson of the youth of Guatemala and the American continent. I speak of youth networks, associations at formal and informal level who work on a daily basis to improve our societies and promote human rights. These young people are often building trust networks, transforming tangible realities. Their work shows that young people are not just beneficiaries of policies, but also active stakeholders, drivers of human rights. Youth in Guatemala has been 32% of the population, some 5.7 million young people. Six out of 10 people are aged under 30. This makes our country eminently young. We have good demographic trends with 63% of the population of working age, a unique opportunity. Young people are not only the future, but also the present. They can transform our society on the ground. And yet, we face significant challenges, such as adult-centric behaviors. This Measures that affect daily life are mostly taken by adults, making our perspectives invisible. Historically, inclusion, young people from the original peoples, young women, persons with disabilities, and rural young people face additional barriers to be heard. Limitations on the implementation of human rights. While Guatemala has ratified a number of international treaties, their application remains inadequate. These barriers limit our participation and make it difficult to build peaceful, cohesive societies. Given these challenges, Guatemala's youth has taken an active, transformative role. A tangible example is the Nabil project, financed by the Peacebuilding Fund, implemented by UNFPA, IOM, and UNHCR. This initiative seeks to promote significant non-symbolic youth participation, building enabling conditions so that young people can have an effective impact on decision-making at community and municipal level. The project has the goal of strengthening participation of indigenous youth and Mestizo youth through training, joint activities, and dialogue platforms with local authorities, ensuring that young people's proposals are effectively incorporated in local governments, programs and plans of action. Young people can have an impact. People in the west of Guatemala are showing their leadership on human rights, peace and social well-being. The project made it possible for young people who had never before participated to be identified and learn and act. Young people who are now joined in networks, making it possible for them to cooperate, join forces and have more of a local impact. Transforming narratives. Negative perceptions of youth who were often seen as a problem and as a generation without a direction have become positive. They now have inclusive dialogue mechanisms with local authorities who not only recognize the project's contribution, but also have shown readiness to continue within their public policies. Progress on inclusion and the intercultural approach with a high level of participation by young women and greater awareness of cultural equity, strengthening diversity and plurality in leadership. And the catalyzer effect interinstitutionally, creating synergies between the UN system, local authorities and young people, leading to political and financial commitments. and those at public and community level, building social cohesion beyond the project itself. This project can be replicated. It has a territorial approach, psychosocial and rights-based approach, building good practice which can be replicated and expanded. Young people have established dialogues with the human rights, the office of the ombudsman, presenting proposals and good practice. And the most valuable input is that speaking of human rights has become part of daily life, in daily language, in conversations with the community. Human rights are not just a far away concept reserved for international fora. It doesn't matter if somebody lives on the most remote mountain or in a busy city, human rights are present in their world, in their voice, in their way of seeing life. It's a compass for them, furthermore. Mental health is part of the process. Young people, we're trained to recognize that emotional well-being is crucial because to live with other people, one has to be able to live comfortably with oneself. Thanks to these actions, young people are not only calling for rights, but exercising them and promoting them, becoming active agents for peace and social transformation. We call on states and the international community. to give priority to young people and projects that strengthen their participation and promotion of human rights, recognize and support successful models such as the Nabil project, multiplying good practice and ensuring sustainability, and ensure real participation where Young people can have an impact on local and national decisions, ensuring that our voices are heard and have a tangible impact. Excellencies, when young people have a place at the decision-making table, it's not just a right, it has a real, sustainable, transformative impact. The youth of Guatemala shows that peace is built from the grassroots up, and that promoting human rights is crucial for fair societies. A reflection now. When a person is aware of their rights, they start to act differently. They can speak out and act differently. Knowing our rights is not just an end in itself, it's the start of a movement, a chain of actions that can change whole communities. Human rights, when they are part of life, they become a transformative force. Thank you.

Thank you, dear colleagues. The list of speakers is being closed now. Next, I invite Mr. Hamish Knott. Please.

Thank you. Hello. My name is Hamish Knott, MSYP. I am the member of the Scottish Youth Parliament representing Inverness and Nairn. I am honoured to have been invited to share with you the role young people in the Scottish Youth Parliament play in fostering peaceful societies and creating an enabling environment for the enjoyment of human rights by all. The Scottish Youth Parliament, or SYP, is a national organisation representing all young people who live in Scotland. SYP exists to raise the voices of Scotland's young people, to make sure decision makers listen to us and involve us in decisions that affect our lives. Our vision for Scotland is of a nation that actively listens and values the meaningful participation of young people, to ensure that young people grow up loved, safe and respected, and are able to reach their full potential. MSYP is made-up of around 160 members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, MSYPs. MSYPs are 14 to 25-year-olds from every part of Scotland who are democratically elected by young people every two years. We have two MSYPs per Scottish Parliament constituency, which enables us to work in partnership with our parliamentary counterparts and with the Scottish Parliament directly. We are a very diverse parliament. For example, over half of our members identify as young women, nearly one quarter have a visible or invisible disability, and around one third of MSYPs belong to a minority ethnic group. As an organisation which puts young people's human rights at the centre, we are passionate about raising young people's awareness of their rights and ensuring that decision makers uphold them. In particular, all of our work is underpinned by young people's right to express their views freely and have their opinions listened to in all matters affecting them. Although we have a small team of dedicated staff to support our work, SYP is entirely youth-led, which means all the major decisions about what we do are made by young people. For example, all MSYPs are involved in deciding which issues SYP takes position on and what happens in our campaigns. MSYPs plan and lead consultations to find out young people's views, facilitate workshops and meet with elected representatives and other decision makers across Scotland. Eight MSYPs are elected each year to make up the board of trustees, which is responsible for strategic decisions about what SYP does. Since it was established in 1999, SYP has influenced major changes in Scotland. One of the mechanisms through which we do that is through our relationship with the Scottish Government. Every year, MSYPs and members of the Children's Parliament meet the First Minister and the Cabinet for the annual cabinet meeting with children and young people. Alongside that, MSYPs also attend an annual executive meeting with the permanent secretary and directors general These annual meetings give us the opportunity to tell the most senior politicians and civil servants in Scotland about issues affecting the young people that we represent. The annual cabinet meeting is, as far as we know, the only one of its kind anywhere in the world. The annual meetings lead to real and meaningful change. Commitments made by the Scottish Government as a result of those meetings have led to more opportunities for young people's participation in decision making the banning of anti-loitering devices in public places, the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish legislation and the introduction of free bus and ferry travel for all young people under the age of 22. I would like to focus today on that last example, free bus travel, to demonstrate the ways in which youth-led organisations such as SYP can have an impact. In 2018, MSYPs carried out a Scotland-wide consultation to understand young people's experiences of public transport. 1,329 people shared their views through a survey and focus groups. The results of that consultation were published in our All Aboard report, which made 10 recommendations for improvements. MSYPs shared the report on social media, wrote letters and gave presentations, and met with the Scottish Government, public transport providers and other decision makers to highlight young people's views and experiences. One of the recommendations called on Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to review and expand concessionary fares to include all young people across all public transport networks. A group of MSYPs raised this recommendation with the Scottish Government's cabinet, where they agreed to carry out a review to look at extending discounts on public transport. MSYPs and other young people helped with the review by taking part in workshops with Transport Scotland to make sure that young people's views were at the centre of the decisions that were made around the issue. They also wrote blogs and letters, gave presentations and held meetings with transport providers to increase support for extending concessionary fares. Following our campaign, the Scottish Government introduced the young persons under 22s free bus travel scheme, which began in January 2022. Since then, Transport Scotland has reported that, in the three years since its introduction, nearly 219 million journeys have been taken through the free bus travel scheme. This scheme has been shown to contribute towards efforts to reduce child poverty, widening young people's access to education and employment, enabling them to build and maintain relationships with friends and family members and develop independence. I'd like to close by making three recommendations for consideration by council members. Firstly, national youth voice mechanisms, such as youth parliaments, should be embedded within national decision-making structures and should be supported to connect young people in local geographical and demographic communities with those national structures. Secondly, to ensure young people play a meaningful role in fostering peaceful societies and creating an enabling environment for the enjoyment of human rights by all, we must be meaningfully involved in all decisions which affect us, from the start of the process and throughout. Finally, policymakers and organizations must make a concerted effort to ensure young people who are marginalized and those who are furthest from their rights are listened to and involved in decisions. Meaningfully including young people in decision-making leads to more inclusive and effective policies that better serve the needs of young people. Thank you.

I thank you. I now give the floor to Ms. Pala Kral.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and fellow advocates. Throughout history and across every continent, young people have been at the heart of movements that shaped our societies. From the struggles against colonialism in Africa and Asia, the defense of democracy in Latin America, standing up to oppression during the Arab Spring, to the civil rights and social justice movements across North America and Europe, young people have consistently stood on the front lines. raising their voices to build more inclusive, just, rights-based communities. Today, this spirit continues. Around the world, student movements rise in countless ways. Some formal, as student unions, councils, and organizations that engage and influence institutions. Others informal, as grassroots collectives and movements that emerge from classrooms, digital spaces, and within communities themselves. Whether expressed through protest, art, or quiet acts of solidarity, such movements share a common spirit: the refusal to accept injustice as inevitable. These movements are boldly intersectional, weaving together struggles for the right to education, gender equality, racial justice, caste abolition, indigenous rights, LGBTQI+ rights, workers' rights, disability rights, and climate action, amongst others. Young people are showing us that human rights and social justice must be understood in all their interconnected dimensions. One of the most recent and powerful examples of this decade is the global movement for Gaza, which has mobilized thousands of students worldwide in sit-ins and divestment campaigns, demanding an end to complicity in occupation, apartheid, and genocide. Similarly, the student-led Fridays for Future global movement demands urgent action to address the triple planetary crisis. Students in different parts of the world are also pushing back against soaring tuition fees, deepening inequality, and the privatization of higher education. These movements are inspirational, but they also come with a sobering reality. Defending human rights as a young person often puts one's safety and freedom at serious risk. Just last week, a young queer activist stood in court in Turkey after being arrested in early August. A dear friend and colleague of mine, Enes Hocaogullari, was charged in the aftermath of giving a speech on human rights as a youth delegate at the Council of Europe. Enes' story is not the only one. Through long-standing engagements, my organization, the Norwegian Students and Academics International Assistance Fund, or also known as SAI, has seen that students defending human rights are too often met with harassment, surveillance, academic reprisals, arbitrary and long-term arrests, and even killings. Our research shows that in many countries, general efforts to shrink civic space, such as restrictive laws on assembly and association, bureaucratic harassment, and weaponizing funding regulations disproportionately target student movements because of limited resources and networks. Women, LGBT+ Youth and marginalized groups within activist communities face particular risks as their identities intersect with the causes they defend. Too often, young defenders are labeled as troublemakers rather than recognized as social agents protecting and advancing human rights. At SAI, we have worked not only to respond to such threats, but also to actively challenge and counter them. Over the past decade, we have helped establish protection mechanisms for student activists at risk and contributed to similar efforts across multiple regions. In parallel, we have advanced efforts to strengthen global norms on academic freedom, including students' right to academic freedom at all levels of education. This work led to the development of the principles for implementing the right to academic freedom, which has gained significant traction within the UN system and some regional human rights mechanisms. We have also helped develop practical tools, most recently contributing to the guidelines for universities to host human rights defenders, led by the UNESCO Chair on Protection of Human Rights Defenders. This initiative aims to make universities safer and more supportive spaces for defenders, including students in exile or at risk. These are a few examples from the work we do at SAI, but protection of human rights defenders should not and cannot rest solely on the shoulders of civil society. So what should be the international community's response? First, we need stronger legal protections for young human rights defenders and student activists. Governments must review and repeal restrictive laws that criminalize peaceful protest and association. Second, we must ensure education equity and protect education spaces as safe arenas for free thought and civic engagement. Universities must be sites of protection for young people to debate, organize, and challenge power without the fear of reprisal. Third, we need meaningful inclusion of youth voices in decision-making processes. Too often, young people are invited into political spaces symbolically or aren't heard at all. Fourth, it means financial support and resources. Youth movements, especially informal and grassroots ones, often operate with little to no funding or institutional support. If you're serious about empowering youth, we must support them on their own terms. Finally, it means international solidarity. The attacks on young activists are not isolated events. They are part of a global pattern. The international community must stand united in condemning these attacks and in building systems of protection and accountability. The story of human rights is and has always been a story of youth. Our citizenship isn't granted. It's claimed through lived experience, resistance, and a vision for a more just world. Supporting young people is not about the future. It's about defending rights and advancing justice now. Thank you.

Thank you. Now, we have the video message from Mr. Bakari Sonko, please.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen and honored guests, greetings from the Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa. I am honored to address this esteemed gathering on the critical role of the UN Peace and Security Agenda, as we convene to discuss the future of peace and development through the lens of human rights. I would like to highlight the pivotal role that young people play in shaping a just, peaceful, and prosperous world. The Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda has emerged as a crucial framework for promoting sustainable peace and development. By recognizing the meaningful participation of young people in peace processes, we can harness their energy, creativity, and idealism to drive positive change. Young people are not merely beneficiaries of peace and security; they are agents of change. In The Gambia, Young people like myself are leading initiatives that promote the youth peace and security agenda through programs and activities that inspire meaningful participation of their peers in peace, promotion of human rights of all, overall solidifying community solidarity. One such initiative is mentoring young men and women as active agents in the implementation of our National Action Plan on Youth Peace and Security. I played an integral role in the development of the first National Action Plan on Youth Peace and Security of the Gambia, through raising awareness across the country, building the capacity of key stakeholders, and building alliances among development partners to ensure a progressive policy document that projects the aspirations of young people in the National Action Plan process. Another initiative I've led is the establishment of the Network of Community Mediators through a youth-sensitive program. This program ensures that alternative dispute resolution mechanism, providing a platform for young people to resolve conflict peacefully and constructively. By empowering young people with mediation skills, we can reduce the risk of violence and promote social cohesion. Your excellencies, I've worked closely with stakeholders to build the capacity of parliament, local government councils, youth, women, and persons with disabilities. This has enabled them to participate effectively in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and inclusion. We have also developed a peacebuilding training manual, which helps build the capacity of young people to understand the peace and security realities of the country and ensure active engagement among the stakeholders. At regional level, young people are mobilizing their peers and inspiring courage and determination. The African youth perspective on the new agenda for peace is a testament to the contribution in promoting human rights, rule of law, and peace. West Africa is leading the way in implementing the youth peace and security agenda, with three countries already adopted their national action plan on youth peace and security. However, recent trends suggest that young people are increasingly skeptical of their government. Protests have become a common means for young people to express their demands and hold their governments accountable. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the Youth Participation Agenda in building trust between young people and their governments. To ensure the relevance and impact of the YPA agenda, governments and other stakeholders must prioritize building trust with young people and creating an enabling environment for their participation. This can be achieved through increasing transparency and accountability, foster inclusive decision-making, and promote youth-led initiatives. In conclusion, Your Excellencies, I urge you all to recognize the critical role that young people play in promoting peace and development. By investing in young people and empowering them to participate in decision-making processes, we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world for all. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and working together to ensure that the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda remains remains relevant and effective in promoting sustainable peace and development. Let us work together to create a brighter future for all, where young people are empowered to shape their own destinies and contribute to the peace and prosperity of their communities. By doing so, we can unlock the full potential of young people and harness their energy, creativity, and idealism to drive positive change. I believe that together, we can make a difference and create a peaceful and prosperous world for all. Thank you.

Distinguished participants, we will now begin with the first segment of the list of speakers. All interventions from the floor are limited to one minute, 30 seconds. And now I will give the floor to the distinguished youth delegate from Iceland, to speak on behalf of a group of countries, please.

Mr. Vice President, I thank the panelists for their highly relevant remarks. I have the honor to speak on behalf of youth delegates from the Nordic-Baltic countries. Today I represent the youth of our region, united in commitment to human rights and peace. Young people are not merely beneficiaries of human rights. We're active agents of change and defenders of dignity. Yet many face barriers, limited access to decision-making, safety threats, and tokenistic involvement. In conflict zones around the world, from Ukraine to Gaza, these challenges only intensify. Youth are the first to be sent to wars, but the last to be invited to the tables discussing peace. This must change. We call on states to fulfill their obligations by ensuring youth access to information, participation, and justice, adequate investment in youth-led initiatives, education, mental health, climate activism, is essential. Leaders should not only welcome youth voices and listen sincerely, but move beyond consultation to genuine co-creation. Without their equal partnership, a peaceful, just and sustainable future cannot exist. In this spirit, we ask: How can states ensure that youth are not just heard, but also given real power to shape policies and decisions? I thank you.

I thank you. Now I invite the representative of the European Union.

Thank you, Vice President.

The EU thanks all panelists for their inputs and welcomes this panel discussion in the 10th anniversary year of the Youth Peace and Security Agenda. The meaningful participation and inclusion of young persons is key in all endeavors aimed at promoting peaceful societies and human rights. As mentioned by the opening speakers, their role and potential are clearly reflected in the UN Youth Strategy, the Call on Action for Human Rights, our common agenda, and the Pact for the Future. Young persons, through their unique perspectives and innovative approaches, are at the forefront of addressing today's most pressing global challenges. It is the responsibility of states to safeguard and expand their civic space. Today's discussion deepens our understanding of how to address the persistent challenges hindering inclusive representation and meaningful youth participation in decision-making, including poor education, lack of opportunities, but also harassment or reprisals. Allow me to share that the EU has developed practical efforts to enhance youth participation based on its Youth Strategy 2019 to 2027. a youth sounding board, the appointment of youth advisors for international partnerships, the youth consultation structures at country level facilitated by our delegations around the world. An advisory board was launched recently seeking to put young people at the heart of EU policymaking. And finally, we highlight the EU Youth Peace and Security Conference taking place in November in Brussels. Thank you very much.

I thank you. Now I invite the representative of Ghana to speak on behalf of the African group.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Africa Group. With a median age of just 19, Africa has the youngest population of any continent. More than 60% of Africans are under the age of 25. This reality is not a burden, but a powerful demographic dividend that, if harnessed, can drive innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. To unlock this potential, we must actualize the right to development for young people if they are to be real drivers of peace and sustainable societies. This means three priorities. First, quality education and skills for the 21st century; second, meaningful participation of youth in decision-making; third, enabling environment for entrepreneurship, digital innovation and decent work. Mr. Vice President, peace and development are mutually reinforcing. By investing in youth, we invest in stability, prosperity and conflict prevention. When young people enjoy their rights and opportunities, they become agents of peace, tolerance and inclusive growth. The Africa Group reaffirms its commitment to harnessing the demographic dividend, guided by Agenda 2030 and the 2030 Agenda. We call on the international community to strengthen cooperation, solidarity, and financing so that African youth can realize their full potential. Yes, we can. Yes, we ought to invest in our young people. I thank you.

I thank you. Now I invite the representative of Algeria to speak on behalf of the Arab Group.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

It's my honor to make this statement on behalf of the Arab group. Youth and Sport Ministerial Council of the Arab countries has launched its 2023-2028 strategy, which provides a regional roadmap in line with the Security Council's program of action, and we're focusing on interactions and partnerships. Chair, we can't talk about youth rights without talking about the suffering of the Palestinian youth in the West Bank and Gaza. They're deprived of their rights thanks to the occupation and the confronting war in Gaza and the destruction arising therefrom, as well as other violations in the West Bank, such as the destruction of infrastructure. We are concerned that the end to this is a sine qua non precondition for those young people to live in dignity. Chair, the participation of young people is vital to ensure sustainable development and promote peace and security, as well as the rollouts of the Charter for the Future adopted in 2024. This represents an opportunity to strengthen young people's participation nationally and internationally in line with the relevant UN programs. Thank you.

Thank you. Now I invite the representative of Slovenia to speak on behalf of a group of countries.

Thank you, Vice President. I have the honor of speaking on behalf of MET9 countries, namely Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and my country, Slovenia. We recognize that empowering our youth is a strategic imperative for stability, sustainable development, and the enjoyment of human rights for all. In line with Med9 joint contributions to the preparation of the new pact for the Mediterranean and the new vision of the Union for the Mediterranean, we are focusing on tangible steps for youth empowerment. We are supporting regional centers of excellence, vocational trainings, youth strategies, quality employment, and peer learning platforms. We are placing special emphasis on developing frameworks for cooperation in educational issues and scholarship mechanisms throughout the Mediterranean region. These investment initiatives will foster inclusive growth by equipping youth with practical skills. They will build long-term resilience for local needs and will create meaningful participation by establishing platforms for dialogue. Our distinguished panelists, from your experience, what is the single most effective strategy to ensure that initiatives like those I have mentioned are not just created for youth, but are also co-designed and owned by them to ensure truly meaningful participation? I thank you.

Thank you. Now, I invite the representative of Dominica to speak on behalf of CARICOM.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the CARICOM group in Geneva. We welcome this biennial panel discussion and thank the distinguished panelists for their valuable insights. As a vice president in CARICOM, where over 60% of our population is under the age of 30, we regard the youth as assets to our region, whose energy, creativity, and innovation are essential to our collective progress. Guided by the Declaration of Par Maribo on the future of youth, we continue to place emphasis on policies and programs that empower youth through education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and opportunities for meaningful participation at all levels of decision making. A key example is the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Program, a 32-year-old initiative that has fostered generations of leaders who continue to contribute to national and regional development and advocate for human rights and champion climate justice. However, at the same time, we recognize that barriers and bottlenecks to youth participation persist. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of ensuring that young people are provided with access to quality education, meaningful employment, digital connectivity, safe spaces for civic engagement, and support for entrepreneurship. These investments are essential to ensure that young people are fully equipped to drive sustainable peace and advance the enjoyment of human rights for all. I thank you.

Thank you very much.

I now recognize the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who will be speaking on behalf of the member states of Francophone Group.

Vice President, this statement is made on behalf of the Franckeperephane Group. Youth lies at the heart of our concerns. It represents our future, but also our presence. It's a lever for a fairer world, one that has greater solidarity and is more respectful of human rights. Nonetheless, too many young people are deprived of full enjoyment of their fundamental rights, which prevents their active participation in democratic and social life. Access to education, training, digital inclusion, employment, and security remain limited, despite the legal obligations of states party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The situation before us today, according to the UN, represents a situation where the 15 to 24 age group represents 1.2 billion people. And by 2030, it will stand at 1.3 billion. In some states, those under 25 years represent sometimes half of the population. In Africa, the 15 to 24 age group represents around 60% of the population. While progress towards SDG slows, youth are innovating and propose solutions in the face of these challenges. Inclusion of youth in design of public policies must be a priority. We must realize that by leaving them to one side, we're turning our back on our future. By making them included, we will incorporate their living force and innovation in the future we're building for them. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Vice-President.

The State.

Of Qatar would like to recall the essential role played by young people in development and stability. The enjoyment of human rights and opportunities for active participation are vital to strengthen the role of young people. We have adopted our national strategy for youth in Qatar, which represents a vision which allows us to establish the needs and priorities for young people and strengthens their participation in cultural, economic, and social life. We have also launched a training program for young delegates from Qatar, hand in hand with the UN. And to those delegates to the UN, they are being trained to best represent their country within international agencies while drawing on an exchange of experiences with their counterparts. We've also launched a number of regional and international initiatives in terms of youth empowerment. We would cite the efforts of the Sella Katat Foundation to empower young people both financially and socially. We also are strengthening the role played by young people to foster their participation in dialogue to confront future challenges. Finally, Qatar would like to recall its undying commitment to empowerment of youth generally. We are well aware that young people are a key cornerstone for a just future. Thank you.

Thank you. Now I invite the representative of Armenia.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Armenia welcomes the topic of the discussion and thanks the panelists for the comprehensive presentation. Young people are not only beneficiaries of rights, but they are essential players in building inclusive, resilient, and rights-respecting societies. In, in Armenia, youth are engaged in peace building through various initiatives such as women and youth agents of peace program, aiming to provide Armenian youth with the skills to lead dialogue, promote reconciliation and counter misinformation in fragile context. In March 2025, Armenia adopted the first law on youth policy, creating a comprehensive framework for youth participation in decision making and establishing youth centers and institutional mechanisms to support their initiatives and to ensure that young people are recognized as equal partners in shaping policies that affect their lives. International cooperation in advancing youth rights is key priority for Armenia. In partnership with the Council of Europe and UNICEF, we have expanded youth awareness of healthcare rights, digital literacy, and climate justice, among other issues. These efforts contribute to the vision set out on Youth 2030, the call to action for human rights and the pact for the future. Armenia stands ready to further contribute to international efforts for empowering the role of the young people and to create enabling environments where young people can thrive as human rights defenders and peace builders. Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

I thank you. Now we have a video statement from the youth delegate of Romania.

Honourable Chairperson, esteemed panellists, distinguished guests and speakers, and fellow young people. Across Romania, but also the world, secondary and tertiary education institutions remain the main site where youth civic engagement, professional networking and advocacy development intersect. As such, barriers that affect students, such as economic insecurity or precarious funding, particularly limit the capacity of youth to participate in public life. Additionally, some youth groups are particularly stalled in their pursuit of impactful output. For example, young artists and researchers lack a single, visible global forum or network where best practices, funding routes, and accountability tools are routinely shared. However, out of all groups, the youth in rural and remote places often fare especially badly. Because they're harder to reach, they're frequently excluded from mainstream inclusion strategies, thus being particularly isolated from civic involvement, resources, and funding. Existing platforms, such as student bodies, arts residency networks, researcher portals, and rural youth organizations provide some help, but are fragmented and often difficult to find for someone dealing with a concrete, place-based challenge. Social media helps bridge contacts, but studies warn that it rarely substitutes for structured dialogue. There is still a lot to do to ensure that young people across all sectors have access to what they need to fulfill their role in building peaceful and resilient societies. To face this challenge, the Romanian youth is ready to contribute to sustainable policies for the world's 1.9 billion young people. Thank you.

Now I invite the representative of Ecuador.

President, my delegation is grateful to the panelists for their statements and agrees that young people are confronting ever more significant structural barriers which limit their full, safe, and inclusive participation in the construction of peaceful and democratic societies and the defense of human rights. In this connection, Ecuador has demonstrated robust commitment to youth and has developed an inclusive economy, fostering a series of policies and programs seeking to transform the aspirations of young people into tangible realities. This is reflected in initiatives which are mutually reinforcing to build a policy of cohesive youth. For example, human development credits. These allow young people to enter entrepreneurship and create jobs. Also, the program entitled Live Young Person constitutes an inclusive strategy motivating young people to participate actively in community action, supporting openness in youth homes and spaces for young people to meet. We have also promoted conventions with universities and institutions to broaden the opportunities for technical and higher training. We have initiatives as well called Young People in Action to offer economic support, which is direct, and opportunities to incorporate young people into young people. We would like to lobby for the role of young people in a paradigm shift in their country's society. Thank you.

Thank you. I invite the representative of El Salvador.

Thank you very much, Vice Presidents. We welcome the panelists and we're grateful to them for their contributions. As co-sponsor of the resolution on youth and human rights of this Council, El Salvador greets the holding of this panel and reaffirms its commitment to this agenda and generally for fostering spaces, strengthening the voice of young people in multilateral debates. We align ourselves with the words of the Secretary-General in that for the multilateral system to be able to offer a present and future that works well for all, significant participation of young people must become the norm and not the exception. From our own national experience, we have fostered a social development model based on the culture of integration, which has allowed us to transform our reality. and base work on youth participation. Generating A fostering environment and the empowerment of communities are key parts of this. We will continue to work actively on promoting our youth and human rights agenda. We are convinced that it is only through their leadership and an active role played by youth we will build more inclusive and resilient societies. Thank you very much, Vice Chair.

Thank you. I invite the representative of Thailand.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Thailand thanks the panelists and reaffirms that youth participation is vital to peaceful, democratic, and inclusive societies. Thailand supports youth leadership at both local and international levels. The Bangkok Youth Council engages young people directly with city authorities to propose policies and promote inclusivity in governance. At the international level, the Thai Youth Delegate Program to the UNGA equips young Thais to represent their peers globally and advocate for peace, multilateral cooperation. These initiatives reflect Thailand's beliefs that empowering youth strengthens social cohesion and peaceful societies. And yet we are concerned that worldwide, many young people are drawn into conflict or exposed to violence. In particular, the digital sphere poses growing risks where youth can be misled and manipulated as tools in disinformation campaigns, hate speech, or incitement to violence. We believe that it is therefore the duty of governments to equip young people with the knowledge and protections that they need so they are empowered to participate in democratic life without being exploited or exposed to harm. In this regard, we wish to ask the panel, how can social media empower youth in peaceful civic participation without being misused to incite division or violence? I thank you.

I thank you. Now I invite the representative of the Republic of Moldova.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the panelists. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the World Program of Action for Youth and the 10th anniversary of the United Security Council Resolution 2250, This year, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to promoting and ensuring the full realization of all human rights of young persons. Empowering youth and fostering their meaningful participation in decision-making process are key drivers of economic growth, resilient democracies, and more inclusive, peaceful societies. In recent years, the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in aligning its youth policies with European and international standards. Let me give you some example, for example, we have enhanced the youth law, we've adopted the youth sector development strategy, Youth 2030, we have established national agency for youth, task with developing, implementing and monitoring youth policies. Additionally, several national programs have been launched to encourage youth engagement, such as Youth Center Network, Youth Grants Program and Youth Capital Program. So we're making sure that adults are taking youth seriously in the Republic of Moldova. While recognizing the progress made, we remain mindful of the challenges that persist and the emergence of the new threats. We are fully committed to continuing our efforts to develop coherent, forward-looking youth policies for the benefit of the entire society. Let me ask in the process, we've heard a lot about the many references to the Pact of the Future, which has made, indeed, references to youth. We didn't hear yet today about UN80 process. And basically, my question is how to make sure that in the framework of UN80 process, the youth policies at the international level, youth cooperation, international cooperation is not underlooked, is not forgotten somehow and lost. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I will now turn to the list of speakers for national human rights institutions and the non-governmental organizations. I first call on the National.

Human Rights Council of Morocco. Thank you, President. Our Commission attaches particular importance to the rights of young people and seeks to empower them and ensure their active participation in political, economic, cultural and social life. We work with young people's associations. In capacity building, we have provided various training, particularly in partnership with OHCHR and other UN agencies, to support young people in 12 regions of Morocco and throughout Africa. These training sessions focus on defending economic, social, and cultural rights, building tolerant societies, working with the UN system, and combating climate change. We have also supported young people's participation in the COPs and shadow reports to treaty bodies and the EPR. We have a young population, and we seek to allow young people to claim their rights, combat hate speech, violations of private life, and digital harassment. It is crucial to take this into account in laws and public policies. We encourage Morocco to strengthen public policies focused on young people and fora, nationally and internationally, to promote the role of young people as crucial stakeholders in building the rule of law, consolidating democracy and promoting and protecting human rights.

Thank you.

Thank you. I call on the Cameroon Human Rights Commission.

Thank you, Vice-President. Our Commission welcomes the opportunity to participate in this debate. Young people have awareness campaigns and activities to promote peace and combat hate speech, cyber harassment, and other issues. The National Council of Youth has anti-cyberbullying campaigns. Young people are also working against sexual harassment in universities. Through a student association, we approached the competent authorities, leading to consultations. To build on young people's role in building peaceful societies and a favourable environment for human rights, Our commission recommends consolidating institutional mechanisms through building on human rights teaching in secondary school and university, supporting the youth parliament and other actions.

Thank you.

Thank you. I call on Association for Women's Rights in Development.

I make this statement on behalf of the Indonesian Civil Society Coalition of Anti-Sexual Violence. Since August 2020, five young Indonesians have been protesting against the injustice and corruption that led to the poor living conditions in the country. Unfortunately, we have seen the disproportionate response taken by the government, the police force, and the military that led to the death of 10 people, most who were young. A 28-year-old woman was burned alive inside the regional parliament building in Makassar, while a 21-year-old motor taxi driver was crushed to death by the police in Jakarta. Instead of responding to the concerns raised by the youth, the government has accused the protests as an act of terrorism and treason. Police have been arresting youth activists, including young leaders of civil society organizations that share their concerns and solidarity with protesters. ban live features on social media, and continue using violence in responding to the protests. The Indonesian government must fulfill the young people's demands, investigate the death of 10 people, and provide justice to the victim and their family. Stop using police force and the army to inflict violence on protesters. Stop criminalizing young people that have been using their voices and ensure the protections of marginalized groups. including women and children. Protest is the key to defend human rights to all, and the Indonesian government has the responsibility to listen and to fulfill our rights, not to criminalize. Thank you.

Now I invite the representative of the Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice delle Salesiane di Don Bosco, please.

IIMA, on behalf of this NGO coalition, welcomes this biennial panel on young people's role in fostering peaceful societies. Youth are vital partners in building a just and peaceful society, yet they're often excluded from decisions that affect them, denying communities the energy, innovation, and leadership they offer in promoting human rights and peace. Education empowers them to engage fully and drive social transformation, whereas its absence undermines their potential as active peace builders. Young people, particularly those in context of poverty, conflict, displacement, and discrimination, face barriers in their access to human rights, with girls and young women disproportionately affected. How can we achieve sustainable peace if we do not educate and empower youth to strive for it? Ensuring youth access to rights is a strategic investment in the resilience and stability of societies, as empowered youth will certainly challenge injustice, resolve conflict peacefully, and advocate for inclusive societies. We urge member states to, one, remove barriers to youth participation in all decision-making processes. Two, guarantee quality education and human rights education for all young people as means to unlock their potential as peace builders. And 3, protect and systematically mainstream youth rights through existing UN human rights mechanisms, especially the UPR and the treaty bodies. I thank you.

Hi, thank you. Now we have a video message from Plan International, Inc.

Mr. President, distinguished delegates, my name is Esther, and I speak on behalf of young women and youth advocates around the world. We recognize the commitment under the UN Youth Peace and Security Agenda and Human Rights Council resolutions 51/17 and 57/30. Yet young people, especially young women, who are youth and youth with disabilities are still underrepresented in peacebuilding, governance, and human rights discussions, even though we are among the most affected by conflicts and rights violations. Many young people face gaps in quality education, digital skills, and safe online spaces. These barriers silence our voices and weaken efforts to build peaceful and inclusive societies. Mr. President, we urge Member States Ensure meaningful youth participation in all decision-making levels. 2. Invest in youth-led initiatives. 3. Protect young human rights defenders and peace advocates. Mr. President, young people must not only be mentioned in resolutions, but we must also be present, resourced, and protected as equal partners in creating peaceful and just societies. I thank you.

Now I invite the representative of the Beijing Guangming Charity Foundation, please.

President, I'm leading president of Beijing Guangming Charity Foundation. Chinese. Social organizations are practicing the protection of autistic youth development right through full chain support, and our foundation's STAR project, a public welfare initiative aiding autistic groups, is a typical example. We have collaborated with Beijing Yan Yangtian Public Welfare Classroom to build a capacity improvement, social integration, employment support system for decades. We have provided music therapy, culture, heritage experience and other courses for mentally challenged youth aged 16 to 30. 24 students have performed on stage. Also, we established tools to help these young people to acquire professional skills and realize social value. This practice is proof that collaboration of social organizations under government guidance can light up hope for these young people. We're willing to share our experience to jointly build an inclusive world. Thank you.

I thank you. We have exhausted, dear colleagues, the first segment of the list of speakers, and we are going to proceed with the second one. So the first, I invite the representative of the Marshall Islands.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. The Republic of the Marshall Islands thanks the esteemed panelists for their remarks. Today, I speak not only as a youth advocate, but as part of a generation that refuses to inherit silence. Around the world, young people are fostering peaceful societies, not through hope, but through active resistance, creativity, compassion, and solidarity. We are not just peacemakers and participants in human rights discourse. We are architects of its future. Our role in the ICJ's advisory opinion on climate change is a testament to this. Youth coalitions from the Pacific and beyond mobilized international momentum, demanding clarity on states' obligations to protect our planet, including for future generations. This is intergenerational equity in action. Likewise, in the Marshall Islands, we confront the nuclear legacy, not as distant history, but as a lived reality. Both as a tribute and a duty to our elders, we have to educate ourselves about the darkest chapter of our history and the 67 known nuclear weapons that were tested on our islands. Youth are amplifying survivor voices, advocating for accountability, and ensuring that the scars of nuclear testing are neither forgotten nor repeated. We call on member states to move beyond tokenism, investing in youth-led peacebuilding, protecting civic space, and recognizing that meaningful youth participation is not charity, it is necessity. And I thank you.

Thank you, now I invite representative of the United Arab Emirates.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My country's delegation would like to express its gratitude for organizing this panel discussion. Youth are the basic pillar of sustainable development and the driving force for a more just and peaceful future. Based on the above, we have adopted a number of local initiatives to empower youth so that they are ambassadors of compassion and peace and promote their participation in policy-making and income. encouraging intergenerational discourse and dialogue, we launched the fourth round of the initiative of young entrepreneurs in line with 10 development tracks. This is an opportunity to engage in a direct dialogue with the decision makers, entrepreneurs. We also organize training sessions for the youth so that they are efficient partners to build a knowledge-based economy. Based on the importance of collaboration with the international community, we would like to put the following question to the participants. How can we promote international cooperation to exchange best practices when it comes to empowering youth to build a more inclusive and peaceful societies? Thank you.

Thank you. And what representative of Vietnam?

Mr. President, youth play a critical and multifaceted role in achieving sustainable development goals and promotion and protection of human rights. However, they are facing many challenges, such as poverty, lack of access to education, job opportunities, digital technologies, et cetera, to fully realize this potential. Vietnamese youth has contributed significantly to protect our peace and get in socioeconomic development, poverty reduction, and promotion and protection of human rights. There are currently 47 young delegates under the age of 40 in the National Assembly, accounting for 42% of the total delegates. The government of Vietnam always prioritize youth in designing and implementing important policies.

From our national perspective, the role of youth in this regard can be further enhanced to encourage and empower youth to actively.

Engage in the promotion and protection of human.

Rights, enhance participation of youth in international fora and global initiatives, and strengthen human rights education for youth. I thank you.

Thank you. Now I invite the representative of the Maldives.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. The Maldives thanks the panelists for their valuable insights on the critical theme of role of youth in advancing peace and human rights. The government of the Maldives recognizes youth as one of the nation's most valuable assets. Safeguarding young people and empowering them to lead is a key national priority. Our whole of society approach ensures youth voices are not only heard, but also meaningfully integrated into decision-making processes at all levels. In this regard, the government has established the Presidential Youth Advisory Board, designed to provide young people a direct role in shaping national progress by integrating youth policies into broader development plans, reflecting government's steadfast commitment to youth empowerment. Maldives is also advancing youth skills through the national apprenticeship programs and community upskilling program, enhancing employability and self-reliance. Further, 10% of the national budget is dedicated to youth-related activities. Guided by Youth 2030, UNSC Resolution 2250, and the Pact for the Future, we aim to ensure youth participation is meaningful and inclusive. Before concluding, we would like to ask the panel, what best practices or models of youth-engaged governance can small island developing states adopt to ensure full participation of youth in peace and human rights work? I thank you.

Thank you. Now I invite the representative of Mongolia.

Mr. Vice President, in Mongolia, where over one-third of the population is under the age of 45, young people are a vital source in shaping peaceful, inclusive, and democratic society. Youth-led organizations and student movements across Mongolia have been active in promoting democratic governance, transparency, and access to education, healthcare, and information. The engagement strengthens Mongolia's democratic resilience and contributes to the realization of the SDG 16, peace, justice, and strong institution. In this vein, empowering and fully harnessing the potential of youth people, our agent of future, has been at the heart of the government policy. In 2016, Parliament of Mongolia adopted the law on promoting youth development. Following the 2024 elections, an independent ministry responsible for youth issues was established for the first time in Mongolia. It's an important step towards ensuring the substantive participation of youth in development policy and programs. The government of Mongolia has also declared 2025 as a year of the youth support. Furthermore, in May this year, the Ministry approved the medium-term policy document, Youth Development Support Strategy 2026-2030, based on extensive discussions and research among young people in collaboration with civil society organizations and development partners. Taking this opportunity, I would like to ask the distinguished panel, what are the main challenges youth face in promoting human rights? How can governments support youth involvement in peacebuilding?

I thank you.

I thank you, and I invite the representative of UNDP.

Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President. UNDP is proud to stand with young people as key partners in advancing human rights and building inclusive and peaceful societies. Guided by a new strategic plan and Youth 2030, we recognize youth not only as future leaders, but as change makers today. Across regions, young people are building trust across divides, preventing violence, and advancing justice in their communities. Yet, young people continue to face civic space restrictions, threats, and barriers to participation. UNDP supports their efforts by creating safe spaces and infrastructures for meaningful participation online and offline. These include youth parliaments, youth councils, civic tech platforms and digital assemblies, and intergenerational dialogues that actually enable young people to shape decision making. In countries like the Gambia, UNDP has supported the development of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, institutionalizing youth participation in governance and peacebuilding. In Ukraine, with UNDP's support, young people lead reconstruction efforts, establish youth councils, and contribute to community cohesion and local planning. To create an environment where everyone can fully enjoy their human rights, it is essential to prioritize youth empowerment, investment, and leadership. Let us reinforce our collective commitment to ensure that young people's voices are heard, their rights upheld, and that no young person is left behind in shaping a just and sustainable future. I thank you.

Thank you. Now I invite the representative of UNFPA.

Thank you, Vice President. This statement is done on behalf of UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women to highlight the transformative power of adolescents and youth in building peaceful, human rights-respecting societies. Young people are our most powerful asset for peace today. In every corner of the world, youth-led movements are challenging harmful social norms, dismantling discrimination, and holding leaders accountable. However, gender inequality and discrimination remain significant barriers. Despite their immense potential, too many young people are excluded from the very decisions that shape their lives and communities. Too many, especially girls and young women, are still unable to make free, informed decisions about their bodies, health, relationship, and futures. This exclusion denies their fundamental, free, active, and meaningful participation. To create an enabling environment for human rights, we must move beyond simply acknowledging young people and invest meaningfully in adolescents and youth by supporting them to develop their skills to engage in policy making, strengthening gender equality, and addressing the intersecting forms of discrimination that affect marginalized youth, supporting independent youth-led organization, and supporting young peace builders, including girls and young women peace builders. This panel illustrates the importance of youth participation, also at the Human Rights Council, and we will continue to advocate for more systematic forms of youth engagement on all human rights issues. I thank you.

Thank you. Now I invite the representative of Saudi Arabia.

Thank you, President. Our country has always taken care of young people and empowered them, allowing them to enjoy opportunities in a number of sectors. We seek to provide a favorable, motivating environment for young people so that they can contribute to addressing international challenges. The 2030 vision is a catalyst for young people. They are among the leading stakeholders in implementing our programs and initiatives. They participate in development programs and initiatives. We have launched programs for impairment of young people, such as employment support and training in tourism, sports, and entertainment. And there are business and finance programs, which encourage different modalities of work to provide young people with opportunities. Despite progress arising from these efforts, we will continue our efforts to promote and protect human rights because young people are at the heart of our development strategies.

Thank you. Thank you.

I call on Burkina Faso.

Thank you, Vice President. My delegation welcomes this dialogue and the relevance of the topic, which explores the role of young people in promoting peaceful societies and the enjoyment of human rights. My country is aware that development can be effective, sustainable, and inclusive only if young people are at the heart of it and that their leading concerns, including employment and training, are taken into account in development programs. Addressing these concerns is essential to promote peace and the enjoyment of human rights. Thus, we have implemented initiatives to promote youth employment and develop their skills, including through a fund to promote employment and another to support youth business initiatives. We recommend within strategies for youth actions to combat enrollment in terrorist activities and combating.

Thank you.

Thank you. I call on the Dominican Republic.

Thank you, Vice President. My country welcomes this debate and thanks the panelists. As our President has stated, youth are the pillar of democracy, peace and prosperity. No development program is complete without their full participation. Over 60% of our population is under 35. Speaking of young people is to speak of the present. We are protagonists in diplomacy, defense of human rights, and In responding to global challenges such as climate change, we recognize the need for safe, inclusive environments to ensure full participation by young people. My country reaffirms its commitment to the Youth Peace and Security Strategy and the Pact for the Future. Empowering young people is ensuring a future of peace and human rights for all. Thank you.

Thank you. Now we have a video message from the youth delegate of Italy.

Excellencies, as youth delegates of Italy to the United Nations, we cannot ignore the heavy price that conflicts impose on our generation. Too often, young people experience the denial of their right to education, displacement, loss of family members, and even life itself.

Yet, youth remain a cornerstone of sustainable peace.

Youth act as human rights sentinels, raising early warnings when tensions escalate, advocating for dialogue, and standing for justice when rights are violated. In this role, young people are not only victims but also active agents of change and guardians of intergenerational justice.

Yet, for youth participation to be truly transformative, persistent barriers must be removed. limited education and awareness on human rights, lack of resources, and the marginalization of the most vulnerable groups, and the need to protect young activists and human rights defenders. As Italy develops its first National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, we commit to ensuring meaningful youth participation in advancing peace and safeguarding rights in situations of conflict, while fostering a culture of dialogue and mediation. And perhaps the question is not whether young people are ready to lead, but how institutions can best support and amplify their voices.

Thank you.

Now I invite the representative of Ethiopia.

Mr. President, Ethiopia welcomes this timely panel and comments the focus on youth as agents of peace and human rights. We firmly believe that empowering young people is key to fostering inclusive and rights respecting society. Youth bring innovation, courage and community leadership to the forefront, especially in times of crisis. Ethiopia has seen this firsthand through youth-led peace building, climate resilience effort and civic engagement across regions. Our national youth policy emphasizes inclusive participation, human rights education, and economic empowerment. We are investing in programs that promote intergenerational dialogue, build life skills, and create safe space for youth voice, particularly for girls and youth people with disabilities. However, significant challenges remain. Youth continues to face barriers in accessing decision-making, education, employment, and safe civic space. Addressing this This requires greater international cooperation. Addressing this requires greater international cooperation, financing, and political will. Finally, Ethiopia supports the full implementation of Youth 2030, the Youth Peace and Security Agenda, and the Pact for Future. We echo the call for structured, meaningful, and safe participation of youth at all levels, local to global. I thank you.

Thank you. Somebody pushed the wrong button. Now I invite the representative of Albania, please.

Thank you, Vice President. When youth are included as equal partners, societies benefit from their innovation, energy and vision for a more just and sustainable future. Guaranteeing the full enjoyment of human rights for all is a foundation for peace, stability, and development. Yet, too often, youth face barriers to participation, education, and employment, limiting their ability to contribute meaningfully into societies. It is our responsibility to create an enabling environment where young people can engage fully in civic life, champion tolerance, and prevent violence. Through its national youth strategy, Albania has empowered youth, young people to participate in decision making, intercultural dialogue and community initiatives. The establishment of youth center and local youth action plans provides safe space for engagement. Mr. Vice President, it is important to deepen our collective understanding and strengthen international cooperation and assistance to ensure the active, meaningful, safe, and inclusive participation of young people. By working together across borders, sharing good practices, and providing resources and protection, we create an enabling environment where young people can contribute fully and without fear. Such cooperation is essential not only to promote the enjoyment of human rights, all, but also to build societies based on trust, justice, and lasting peace. I thank you.

I thank you. I invite the representative of Portugal.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Portugal welcomes this panel discussion and thanks to panelists for their interventions. Young persons continue to face significant challenges, which demand coordinated responses from states, the United Nations system, and all relevant stakeholders. Supporting the mental health and well-being of young persons is also critical to sustaining peace. In an increasingly digital world, it is vital to equip youth with the skills to navigate new forms of participation and to safeguard human rights in both physical and online spaces. Human rights education plays a central role in this effort, enabling youth to translate human rights principles into meaningful change. Portugal has a longstanding commitment to the youth agenda, from hosting the first and second world conferences of ministers responsible for youth, to actively supporting the establishment of a fully fledged UN youth office, and to presenting resolutions in several multilateral fora on the role of youth. We must therefore ensure that youth perspectives are not only heard, but systematically embedded into conflict prevention frameworks and human rights policies at all levels. Mr. Vice President, we have the following question. What concrete steps can we take to ensure that digital inclusion becomes an integral part of our efforts to create enabling environments for youth participation? Thank you.

Thank you. Dear colleagues, now I will turn to the list of speakers for national human rights institutions and nongovernmental organizations. And I will give the floor now to the The National Human Rights.

Committee in the State of Qatar believes in the importance of the role of youth in promoting peace and creating an enabling environment for the effective enjoyment of human rights. Within the framework of its follow-up to national and international efforts in this regard, we would like to welcome the progress achieved, but we express our deep concern over the persistence of challenges that hinder the effective and full participation of the youth. In this context, we call upon your esteemed Council to consider positively the following recommendations: One, urging states to adopt legislation that supports the participation of youth in various fields. and to encourage them to adopt national plans for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2250 with the aim of enhancing their participation in peace and security; two, encouraging international cooperation in supporting economic and social development projects and strengthening the measures and policies taken to address irregular migration and violent extremism; Three, urging states to adopt national policies based on a human rights-based approach, involving national institutions, civil society, and various stakeholders, while emphasizing the participation of youth, including young women, in the process of drafting, implementing, and reviewing policies and decisions related to the future. And thank you very much.

Okay, now we have another video message from the Iranian Thalassemia Society.

Mr. President, in Gaza, countless children suffer from war injuries, and more than 21,000 have been left permanently disabled in less than two years. Those who survive live under endless siege, struggling each day with hunger, thirst, and displacement. Young people in Gaza see no future ahead, with over 90% of schools damaged or destroyed, universities turned into shelters, and families waiting in dangerous lines simply to find food. How can we speak of education, empowerment, or participation? Instead of experiencing growth and hope, this generation lives each day with death, injury, and the grief of losing loved ones. Children in Gaza go to sleep in fear, and young people awaken in despair. This stark reality directly contradicts the commitments outlined in this Council's resolution 57/30 on youth and human rights. Without the most basic rights to life, health, food, and water, no other rights can be meaningfully realized. We call on the international community and this Council to ensure urgent humanitarian, food, and medical access to Gaza, condemn and stop military attacks on civilians, schools, and hospitals, expand psychosocial support and rehabilitation for children families. Today in Gaza, childhood does not become youth, and youth is destroyed before it can ever flourish. I thank you.

Okay, now we have another video message from the Asian Pacific Resource and Research Center for Women.

Distinguished Chair and.

Excellencies, my name is Nudolod Asolof, and I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Asian Pacific Resource and Research Center for Women. Peace and human rights cannot be realized without the active participation of youth. Millions of young people aspire to shape inclusive and peaceful communities.

Yet their contributions are too often overlooked.

Despite their contribution, young people continue to face shrinking space and systematic barriers that limit their ability to participate meaningfully and safely. We urge states to recognize youth as equal partners in peacebuilding in line with the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda and its five pillars of participation, protection, prevention, partnership and reintegration. This means ensuring that young people's voices are not merely heard, but acted upon.

Guaranteeing safe civic space and meaningful participation is essential to breaking the cycles of conflict and promoting lasting peace.

Youth has the strength of the wind, while old age has the wisdom of the mind. If we combine the energy of the youth with the wisdom of the experience, societies can flourish. Only through such commitment can we build peaceful, inclusive and sustainable futures where the rights of the young people are fully realized. Thank you.

Now I invite the representative of the Association of Iranian Short Statured Adults.

Vice President, Youth are meant to be the architects of peaceful futures, yet in recent months, across parts of the Middle East, in both Iran and Palestine, they are denied even the right to live. In Iran, years of unlawful unilateral sanctions have crushed opportunities for young people, restricting education, health care, and employment, and have placed unbearable burdens on future generations. The recent aggression by Israel killed over 1,000 Iranians, most of them young. Their voices and dreams were silenced before they could contribute to peace. In Palestine, youth face systematic deprivation. They are starved of food. They are denied from exercising the most basic freedoms every human being should enjoy. Resolution 57/30 highlights these rights: education, digital inclusion and online safety, mental health, and meaningful participation. For Palestinian youth, each of these rights is under siege. We urge this Council to end sanctions that punish youth and mortgage their future, to ensure accountability for attacks that kill young civilians, and to guarantee safe education, digital access, online safety, and above all, the right to life and food. Thank you.

Okay, now we have another video message from the Christian Council International.

Thank you for this opportunity. I speak on behalf of Christian Council International and many faith-based young people who feel left out of global human rights discussions. We are often told that youth are the future, yet many of us are excluded because our faith convictions are labeled as anti-rights.

This is not true.

Faith traditions uphold the dignity of every person, defend life from conception to natural death, and affirm the vital role of the family. These beliefs are at the root of social order and strengthen human rights, not weaken them. Across Africa, young volunteers support faith-based organizations as they run hospitals, schools, and community programs that bring hope and dignity to countless lives. They advance human rights every day, yet their voices remain absent from the tables where decisions are made. This was evident in the Summit of the Future and ICPD+25, where faith-based youth perspectives were largely excluded. We urge this Council to be intentional about including all youth perspectives in implementing the.

Pact for the Future and other youth-based global frameworks.

Decisions should reflect the values and experiences of every voice in society.

I thank you.

Okay, now I invite the representative of the of Conscience and Peace Tax International, please.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. In a debate on the role of youth in fostering peaceful societies and creating an enabling.

Environment for the enjoyment of human.

Rights by all, I am surprised to have heard no mention of conscientious objection to military service. As the UN 75 Youth Declaration recognizes, this right is particularly relevant to youth. In too many countries, their first adult experience is conscription into obligatory military service, not always with an opportunity to exercise the right. This right is also explicitly included as paragraph 12 of the Ibero-American Convention on Youth Rights. To take the example which has been quoted repeatedly of opposition to the conflict in Gaza, The role must be mentioned of the 18-year-old Israeli men and women, one of whom we heard from at a side event yesterday, who have refused call-up to take part in military action and who have consequently suffered repeated terms of imprisonment in military prisons. We should not just consider them victims; we should celebrate their direct action against war and the example they set to all of us. To quote the old question, What if they gave a war and nobody came? Thank you.

I thank you. We have exhausted the second segment of the list of speakers. Distinguished participants, Excellencies, this was the last speaker we could accommodate. Delegates inscribed on the list of speakers who cannot take the floor due to time constraints, as I said at the very beginning of this meeting, can upload their statements to be posted on the extranet. I will now give the floor to the panelists for their concluding remarks. You have three minutes each. I give the floor to Ms. Paola Crowe, please.

Thank you. I believe it's very important that states and other relevant actors engage with formal student groups. But more importantly, engagements with grassroots social movements led by or including of young people is really important and should be consciously and consistently prioritized. Supporting their initiatives and voices alongside respecting, promoting, and protecting their rights is vital. There were multiple questions asked here. We have very little time, so I'm going to try and give short responses. There was a question on social media, which is deeply important to many youth and student movements, especially in their campaigns and communication work. But as we all know, cyberbullying and doxing, amongst other challenges, are common experiences of young people in many parts of the world. Moreover, internet shutdowns also impact young people in different parts of the world. States, tech companies, and other actors must do better in protecting and promoting digital rights of the wider civil society, including young people working to defend human rights. There was another question on good practices. I believe SAI, my organization's model, can be one which is useful to look at. We are a democratically elected student-led movement that conducts research and does advocacy to protect and promote higher education, academic freedom, and the rights of students and academics at risk globally. I'll be happy to speak more about that after this. There were several questions about how to engage with young people and strategies to do so. And there are several ways to do so. such as making path for young people to hold positions of power and the authority to shape policies and agendas, engaging with their movements and organizations, and funding protection mechanisms and education opportunities for young people. I also believe it's our collective responsibility to counter the global backlash on human rights and civic space, especially with growing authoritarian tendencies around the world. If there's one message I hope that stays with everyone here, it is that young people are not just the future of human rights, they are the present. From universities to the streets, from digital platforms to community spaces, students around the world are leading bold intersectional movements for justice. But too often it comes at a cost. Arrests, reprisals, and repression are not exceptions, they're becoming the norm. At SAI, we've seen what's possible when young people and students are supported and protected. Under international law, states have a very clear obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights of all. This extends to young people who are exercising their rights as active citizens, shaping society through protest, participation, and public voice. States, together with institutions like the United Nations, national human rights bodies, universities, and others, must move beyond symbolic recognition. What's needed are concrete legal protections, actual inclusion, and not just meaningful inclusion. and sustained support for youth-led movements, recognising youth not just as future leaders but as rights holders and citizens of today. Thank you.

I thank you. Now I invite Mr. Hamish Knott.

Thank you. To conclude, national youth organisations such as the Scottish Youth Parliament can play an important role in fostering peaceful societies and creating an enabling environment for the enjoyment of human rights by all, especially at a national level. For over 25 years, SYP has successfully represented the issues concerning young people through our positive relationships with decision makers, strong campaigns, and the wide diversity of our politically impartial membership. In a world where the challenges affecting young people are constantly changing, especially with the rise of social media and online misinformation, as mentioned by the representative for Thailand, it is more important than ever youth structures at all levels in society continue the difficult conversations and advocate for change on behalf of young people. While adapting to the new challenges, it remains imperative that youth organisations such as FYP continue our efforts to reach young people who are furthest from their rights. As a representative for the rural Scottish Highlands, I appreciate the importance of ensuring young people in more isolated communities are given an opportunity to voice their views, especially with the disparity of basic infrastructure in comparison with urban areas. Despite this, SYP remains committed to ensuring every young person's view is heard and respected, regardless of geographical boundaries, and are proud to have members from every area of the country championing their local communities. Finally, since being elected in 2021, I have been fortunate to experience different interpretations of youth participation. From speaking to the esteemed delegates of the UN Human Rights Council today, to talking with young people in a classroom or community center, my message is simple. It does not matter how we engage with young people, rather that they are in an environment where they feel safe and which allows them to engage the most, and that they feel they are being meaningfully involved in the decision-making process. Thank you.

I thank you. Now I invite Ms. Nelly Monzon, please.

Thank you very much. Answering the various questions, I want to emphasize that guaranteeing youth participation requires sustainable and measurable focuses. It's fundamental to institutionalize the participation of young people as a right, integrating this at local framework level, ensuring public policies which guarantee their effective participation at all decision-making levels and avoiding a mere fig leaf consultation. It's essential to continue and broaden programs around leadership and political participation, as well as intergenerational dialogue and peaceful dispute settlement, adapting methodologies to local contexts. Furthermore, formalizing partnerships between local governments and international agencies, as well as civil society in the private sector, will ensure the sustainability of the spaces of participation we have set up. In the same way, facilitating inter-institutional models for the participation of youth and human rights, as well as fostering their ability to self-protect, is essential for continuity in community leadership. These spaces don't only strengthen the voice of young people, they generate tangible and sustainable outcome in peacebuilding and community development. The experience of the Nabil project in Guatemala demonstrates that when interagency efforts are joined up, regulating and joining up local authorities and civil society, we have greater impact and a more sustainable result. This coordinated work allows us to strengthen young leaders to work towards effective human rights and build volunteer work and focus its impact. this can have psychosocial benefits and inclusive initiatives. This has led to tangible benefits in youth participation, demonstrating that the results are maximized when efforts are concerted in a strategic and collaborative fashion. Thank you.

I thank you, excellencies, distinguished participants. This brings us to the end of the biennial panel discussion on youth and human rights. Once again, I want to I would like to thank the Deputy High Commissioner, madam, the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, our distinguished panelists, and all the participants who have contributed to our discussion. Now we will have a short break, which is quite reasonable, before holding the urgent debate. Thank you and good luck.

Excellence, distinguished colleagues, in line with practice, allow me to start with some practical information. On 10 September 2025, I received two letters, one from the permanent representative of Pakistan on behalf of the member states of the OIC, and the other from the permanent representative of the State of Kuwait on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Both letters call for an emergency debate during the 60th session in order, I quote, to discuss the recent military aggression by the State of Israel against the State of Qatar on 9th September 2025. As decided by the Council at its meeting yesterday morning on 15th September, we shall now hold this urgent debate. The debate shall follow the same modalities as a general debate in the Human Rights Council, with a speaking time of one minute 30 seconds for all. The list of speakers will be closed in 15 minutes. I now call on Mr. Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, for his statement. You have the floor.

Mr. President, Israel's strike on negotiators in Doha on the 9th of September was a shocking breach of international law, an assault on regional peace and stability, and a blow against the integrity of mediation and negotiating processes around the world. As such, I condemn it and call on this Council and on all governments to do the same. The Secretary-General has pointed out that Israel's action was a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar. The members of the Security Council also expressed their condemnation. The attack violated the right to life under international human rights law and the principles of international humanitarian law. Targeting parties engaged in internationally supported mediation on its territory undermines Qatar's key role as a facilitator and peace broker. It is an attack on global efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully. I urge this Council to reaffirm the central importance of mediation processes and to call for accountability for unlawful killings. Mr. President, Laws exist to defend values central to our societies and to our world. The rules of war, which govern every party to armed conflict, were agreed over decades for the common good. Under those rules, the distinction between civilian and military targets is fundamental. An attack may never be targeted at civilians who are not taking part a direct part in hostilities. At their core, the main purpose of the rules of war is to minimize the use of armed force and to prevent and ease the suffering of civilians. When countries ignore them, they undermine the protection of civilians everywhere. In the case of the Israeli attack in Doha, the Hamas delegation was in Qatar to negotiate for a ceasefire, a vital step towards peace. and peace that is so desperately needed in Gaza, in the occupied West Bank, in Lebanon, in Syria, in Yemen, and across the entire region. Mr. President, the Israeli attack was concurrent with other actions which are destroying any prospect of the two-state solution, the only route to sustainable peace. On the same day as the attack, Israel signaled a new phase of its assault on Gaza, with a displacement order for some 1 million people to leave Gaza City without necessary provision for their safety and security. This is another blatant contravention of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, as funerals were held for those killed in Doha, the Israeli government formally signed off on the so-called E1 project near East Jerusalem. The Prime Minister described this project as fulfilling the government's promise to stop the creation of a Palestinian state. This is the latest in a long list of illegal facts on the ground that are bringing the two-state solution closer and closer to a point of no return. Mr. President, our hearts break for the civilians of Gaza, for the Israeli hostages and their loved ones, for those arbitrarily held in Israeli prisons and their families. War without laws means a future of endless cruelty and suffering for civilians, both Palestinian and Israeli. This attack demonstrates the urgent need for member states to step up. Few have done so. The United Nations has been on the ground throughout, delivering aid and documenting violations at huge costs. Hundreds of our own colleagues have been killed. Nearly two years after the appalling terror attacks of 7 October 2023 and the ensuing escalation in violence, this carnage has to stop. Member states cannot wait any longer. They have an obligation to take concrete action to stop egregious violations of international law, including those spelled out by the International Court of Justice. They must stop the flow of Israel to Israel of arms that risk violating the laws of war. They must apply maximum pressure for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and those arbitrarily detained, as well as the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza. And I urge them to do everything possible to support the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people. I commend those states that are leading by their example. Thank you.

Thank you.

I now call on Ms. Jovana Yegimirovic-Ranito, chair reporter of the Working Group on Mercenaries on behalf of the Coordinating Committee of the Special Procedures.

Mr. President, excellencies and distinguished delegates. I have an honor of addressing the Human Rights Council today on behalf of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures in the context of the urgent debate to discuss the recent military aggression launched by Israel against the State of Qatar on 9 September 2025. This attack is a grave breach of the United Nations Charter, especially the prohibition of the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state. Such illegal actions violate the right to life, undermine international multilateral order, and risk further destabilization of the region. Israel's continued attacks against multiple sovereign states, in addition to the crimes it is committing against the Palestinian people, are normalizing the use of violence under the guise of self-defense and are sending a deeply troubling signal that might can override the rule of law. Mr. President. Israel's latest attack in the region came as a critical moment when Qatar, together with Egypt and the United States, was leading efforts for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. By targeting individuals gathered to discuss these proposals, Israel undermined one of the few credible avenues to restore peace and prevent further destruction in Gaza and open a path to peace, killing members of a negotiating team. not only violates international law, but also breaks the very foundation of the peace diplomacy, which requires dialogue conducted in good faith, rather than the deceptive use of force. The Coordination Committee echoes the Secretary-General 's condemnation of this attack as a violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Respect for these principles are not optional. They are the foundation of the United Nations system and must be upheld by all states, regardless of circumstances. We applaud the continuous efforts of Qatar to secure a ceasefire and release all of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Excellencies, this aggression also illustrates the instructible link between the three pillars of the United Nations, peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. Peace is a precondition for realizing human rights and achieving sustainable development. When diplomacy is undermined by unilateral illegal military action, cycles of violence and lawlessness are triggered. Apart from resulting in the loss of lives of innocent people, such actions widen distrust, weaken the rule of law, obstruct humanitarian access, and divert resources away from sustainable development. The effects of such acts erode international norms and encourage impunity, creating conditions in which further human rights violations become more likely. This aggression is the latest in the series of demonstrating the right-based international multilateral system is being substituted by a might makes right system, testing the entire UN system to the limits. Conflicts continue to inflict immense suffering on people with limited effective international response. One main reason is that states and other actors are failing to uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Charter. Without a determined effort to respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law, there is a risk of the UN and human rights system collapsing with devastating consequences. Hence, the Human Rights Council cannot remain silent in the face of dangerous precedents set by Israel. We strongly urge Israel to respect international law and to refrain from further actions that jeopardize prospects of peace and threaten regional stability. It must immediately halt its offensive in Gaza City, allow unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and end its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories, as required by the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly. We call on all states to stand in solidarity with Qatar and take collective actions to hold accountable those responsible for this attack. Accountability is not only a legal imperative, but also an essential condition for restoring trust in the mechanisms of diplomacy and conflict resolution. The international community should not allow Israel to be law unto itself, nor should it allow a state to shield another state from accountability for grave and systemic violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. At this critical moment, the international community must strengthen support for mediation and humanitarian relief. The urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the delivery of aid cannot be delayed. The people in Gaza have endured immense suffering, with 10s of thousands killed and almost an entire territory devastated. They deserve dignity, justice, accountability, and a durable peace. Mr. President, the Coordination Committee, as well as the Special Procedure mandate holders, stands readily to support the Council, the High Commissioner, and all relevant actors in monitoring and responding to the human rights implications of the crisis. The principles of the UN Charter, the protection of human rights, and the rule of law must guide our collective response. We cannot allow aggression, impunity, and disregard for international law to become the new norm. Qatar, the people of Gaza, and the wider region look to the Council to act with resolve and uphold the core values on which the United Nations was founded. It is critical to reassert human rights as a pathway to address all ongoing crises and to create a peaceful and sustainable world for all. I thank you.

Thank you. We will now hear the consent countries. I note that the delegation of Israel is not present in the room. I call on the distinguished representative of Qatar, Her Excellency Mariam **** Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation, you have the floor.

In.

The name of God, most merciful and most compassionate, Mr. President, Excellencies, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Human Rights Council for its rapid response to convening this emergency debate. which reflects the Council's pivotal role in safeguarding human rights and promoting international peace and security. We also appreciate the positions of Member States that supported the convening of this session. On Tuesday, September 9, my country, Qatar, was subjected to a treacherous attack in the form of an airstrike that has targeted populated areas in the heart of the capital, Doha, near diplomatic missions, schools, kindergartens, and mosques. This area is inhabited by 5,000 people, including families of citizens and residents and members of the political bureau of Hamas and their families. This attack resulted in deaths and injuries, including the martyr, Corporal Bader Saad Al-Dosari, 22 years old, and 18 other wounded. This is not only a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar, but also constitutes a major breach of basic human rights, the to life, security, protection of the children, and education, as recognized by international conventions, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This attack represents a violent, flagrant violations of international humanitarian law by targeting a purely civilian area. an attack on a full member state of the United Nations amounting to state terrorism and a direct threat to regional and international peace and security. What makes this crime even more serious is the fact that it has targeted a state that is playing a mediating role in coordination with the United States and Egypt to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Targeting the mediating state is targeting the principle of negotiation itself. The Qatari mediation since October 7 has reached tangible results. And targeting the mediating state not only undermines the negotiation process, but also dispels all opportunity to save more lives and achieve peace. This experience confirmed that the Qatari mediation was never a formal act, but rather a concrete practice that has saved lives and restored rights. Mr. President, this attack was not an isolated incident, but rather was part of a broader campaign aimed at distorting Qatar's role and obstructing its diplomatic efforts. This was confirmed by the statement of the Israeli prime minister, who clearly announced the continuation of threats against other countries, a dangerous escalation that even threatens to drag other countries. As for the Arab and Islamic position, the Arab Islamic Summit held yesterday said unanimously that it condemns the brutal aggression and reject any attempt to justify it, consider it a flagrant violation of the international law and the United Nations Charter, and emphasize the concept of collective security. Mr. President, Unfortunately, we have become accustomed to the news of death, of attacks, and starvation in our world today. What are we waiting for? What is the message that we are sending to the world if we are unable to stop hostility, hatred, and violence through international treaties and conventions? What messages are we sending to future generations regarding the respect of human rights and our trust and confidence in law? If the rule of law is absent, then the logic of force will prevail. We are here to seek a way to achieve peace, to not, we can normalize life, not death, law and not chaos, unity and not disintegration. Therefore, we would like to affirm the following: We condemn the treacherous attack of Israel and the targeting of civilians and violation of international law. We call on this Council and the international community to take practical steps to hold the aggressors accountable and prevent their impunity, to warn of the danger of targeting mediating states. and to renew Qatar's commitment to the approach of mediation and work for peace despite this aggression, as we have this moral and legal duty to do so. At the end, we are confident that the Human Rights Council will not accept any violation of human rights principles and will not tolerate this flagrant violation. We are confident that it will place the protection of international law as a priority for the sake of stability and preserving the role of mediation as an essential tool for ending conflicts and ensuring that people enjoy their freedom and security. Thank you. Thank you.

The list of speakers is now closed and we shall start the list of members of the Council. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We appreciate holding this urgent debate in a very dangerous setting following the blatant aggression by Israel on the state of Qatar while Qatar was undertaking its humanitarian role as a mediator for a ceasefire, ending the crisis in Gaza, and releasing the detainees. The GCC countries insist on the fact that protecting civilians, respecting international law, promoting human rights is a collective responsibility that we should all fulfill. And it is our duty today to send a strong message, a clear one, that aggression on the sovereignty of countries, jeopardizing the lives of civilians, spreading terror, and hampering mediation are acts that cannot be accepted and should be, and the perpetrators should be held accountable. We call for joint international efforts in order to respect international humanitarian law, protecting countries that undertake mediation roles that protect and promote human rights and work on safeguarding international peace and security. In this context, we invite you to adhere to the joint statement by the State of Qatar. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you.

I call on the distinguished representative of Pakistan on behalf of the OIC.

Mr. President, the OIC group welcomes the convening of this urgent debate of the Council. We thank the High Commissioner for his remarks and also thank Her Excellency Mariam **** Ali bin Nasser bin Al-Masnad.

Minister of State for International Cooperation of the State of Qatar, for her address to the Council.

The OIC group condemns in the strongest terms.

The Israeli aggression against Qatar on 9 September 2025 in blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter.

We strongly denounce this attack on the mediation process that Qatar has hosted commendably alongside regional and international countries to address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the OPT, particularly Gaza. This unjustifiable and unprovoked attack constitutes a dangerous escalation threatening the very foundation for the enjoyment of all human rights by all peoples in the region, as well as an attack on the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar under the pretext of countering terrorism. We affirm our solidarity with the state of Qatar and support all steps it may take to protect its security and sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter. We call on the international community to compel Israel to stop its dangerous and ongoing attacks in the region and urge the Council and its mechanisms to ensure accountability for Israel's serial.

Violations of international law.

Initiatives such as mediation by Qatar and other countries offer a starting point towards a just and lasting regional peace with equal rights and dignity for all peoples in the region, especially the people under occupation in Palestine.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I call on the distinguished representative of Algeria on behalf of the Group of Arab States.

Thank you, President. I make this statement on behalf of the Group of Arab States. The attack by the Israeli occupants against the Qatari capital, Doha, is a crime which will go down in the lengthy history of Israel's violations of the UN Charter and established practice. The Arab group condemns this attack as well as the attacks against other Arab states such as Syria and Yemen, and this escalation of violence may aggravate the instability in the region. We are gravely concerned at this attack on a state acting as mediator. It undermines the mediation which seeks to end the war in Gaza and is an aggravation, a violation of the UN Charter. We stand in solidarity with Qatar. The war in the region is fueled by total impunity, and our group calls on the international community to act urgently to end these violations and require all parties to respect international law.

Thank you.

Thank you. I call on the distinguished representative of the European Union.

Microphone.

Albania, the Republic of Moldova, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway align themselves with this statement. The EU expresses its condemnation of the airstrikes in Doha and underlines its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The Israeli attacks on Hamas leaders caused also Qatari casualties. The EU expresses its full solidarity with Qatar, our strategic partner, which alongside Egypt and the United States, plays a crucial role as mediator of the conflict in Gaza. The focus of the international community must remain on reaching a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The EU strongly supports the determination expressed by the Prime Minister of Qatar to continue his country's mediation role. The EU has consistently called on Israel to respect international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to refrain from any actions that jeopardize mediation channels and regional stability and remain committed to the two-state solution. We recall that the EU and other international partners have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. Recently adopted new sanctions regimes underline our principled stance against terrorism in all its forms.

Thank you.

Thank you. I call on the distinguished representative of Ghana on behalf of the Group of African States.

Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. The African Group commends the convening of this urgent debate that demonstrates the ability of the Human Rights Council to respond swiftly to human rights challenges worldwide. The African Group expresses deep concern regarding the armed attack by Israel against the State of Qatar on 9 September 2025. The Group underscores the importance of adherence to international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and calls for restraint, dialogue, and peaceful resolution to the situation. Furthermore, the Group recognizes the important role of states engaged in mediation efforts and the facilitation of peaceful dialogue and underscores that any measures directed against a state actively contributing to such efforts raises serious concerns under international law, particularly with respect to the principles of sovereignty, non-intervention, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Such actions not only challenge the integrity of international norms, but also risk undermining the safeguarding of human across the global community. Lastly, Mr. President, the African Group reaffirms the importance of the principles of justice, peace, and equality in the international arena, and further affirms that efforts to mediate and promote peace must be respected, and that no actor should face reprisal for pursuing dialogue and reconciliation. I thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.

I call on the distinguished representative of South Africa on behalf of group of countries.

And I have the honor to deliver this joint statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of 74 states. The full text will be available on the extranet. Today, we stand united in defense of the rule of law, human rights, peace, and security, founded upon freedom, equality, and respect for international law. Today, we stand to condemn the use of force against peace-loving countries. Today, we stand to support the state of Qatar, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and condemn in the strongest terms the heinous armed attacks in Doha launched by Israel on the 9th of September, 2025. Today, we express our deep concern over the precedent of targeting a state that is engaged in mediation efforts and facilitating. dialogue between parties to an armed conflict. President, it is high time that the international community uses every available opportunity to make Israel abide by the rules and principles of international law. Accordingly, we strongly condemn all attacks directed against neutral and mediating states in violation of international law, recognize the crucial role of mediating states in facilitating dialogue. We welcome the commitment of Qatar to continue its mediating efforts. Finally, we urge this Council, its relevant mechanisms, the UNSG, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to monitor and report on incidents of attacks against mediating states and to provide recommendations on strengthening their protection under international law. I thank you.

Thank you very much. I recognize Kuwait.

Mr. President, my country's delegation aligns itself with the statements of the groups to which we belong. Our country strongly condemns and denounces the brazen and cowardly attack on the brotherly state of Qatar by the Israeli forces, which led to a number of martyrs and a number of civilians being wounded. My country reiterates that this coward attack is a blatant violation to all international laws and regulations. and a serious threat to the peace and stability in the region and its security, as well as undermining international peace and security. We reiterate our position that it is imperative for the UN and international community to fulfill their responsibilities to preserve international peace and security and take serious measures and firm measures to end the systematic attack by the Israeli entity on the region and attacks on the civilians. My country is steadfast in its support to the brotherly state of Qatar in its measures to preserve its security, stability, sovereignty, and preserving its citizens and residents. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. Indonesia.

Mr. President, on behalf of the government and the people of the Republic of Indonesia, allow me to express our deepest solidarity with the state of Qatar in the wake of Israel's aggressions on Doha. Indonesia condemns in the strongest terms this unlawful act. It is a grave violation of the UN Charter and the international law. Striking a state serving as a mediator is a blatant betrayal. to the peace process, and every path to peace will be under attack if such assault continues with impunity. It has destroyed trust and undermined hope to end the suffering in Gaza. This cannot continue.

The international community must act decisively.

Mr. President, Indonesia welcomes the communique agreed by the Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit yesterday, and we stand ready to support its follow-up. But Let us be clear, lasting peace in the Middle East will never be achieved without a two-state solution. Any denial of this fundamental right is unacceptable. Indonesia stands firmly with Qatar, with Palestine, and with all nations that courageously uphold justice, defend sovereignty, and protect our shared values of humanity. Thank you.

Thank you very much, and I recognize China.

Mr. President, on the 9th of September, Israel launched an attack in Qatar, which flagrantly violated Qatar's territorial sovereignty and national security, openly disobeyed the international law and UN Charter, and blatantly undermined the efforts on peace process. China firmly rejects and categorically condemns such act. Respecting other countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity is part of the basic norms of international relations. Yet Israel disregards this norm and frequently initiates military operations to other neighboring countries. As a vital party for good offices in the negotiation of ceasefire in Gaza, Qatar has made enormous efforts to promote the ceasefire and restore peace, which have been widely recognized by the international community. Yet it was during the discussion on ceasefire agreement in Qatar that delegation of Hamas was attacked by Israel. Such act is a deliberate attempt to derail the negotiation process. Abuse of military power is never a solution to any problem. China strongly calls upon all parties, Israel in particular, to take more positive efforts for the cessation of conflict and resumption of negotiation, to earnestly observe the international humanitarian law and human rights law, and to respect the right to life of people in other neighboring countries. We stand ready to work with the international community to play a constructive role in the efforts of ending conflict and de-escalating the tension in the region. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. And I recognize the distinguished representative of Cuba, please.

Thank you very much, President. military aggression against Qatar constitutes another serious episode in a chain of violations of international law and the Charter committed by Israel, which is acting with impunity under the protection of the United States, undermining regional peace and stability. The attack in Doha, that Cuba robustly condemns, represents a new extrajudicial execution and is an affront to human rights. Not content with illegally occupying Palestinian and Arab territories or committing a genocide in Gaza, Israel is launching indiscriminate attacks against civilians, journalists, doctors, and humanitarian workers. We reiterate our solidarity with the Government and people of Qatar, victims of Israeli aggression. These actions are locating the region and the world. full in the face of a conflagration with unprecedented consequences, Israel is demonstrating once again its non-intention, deliberate lack of intention to engage in any peace process, rather to sabotage it. This criminal act is only possible thanks to the political and military support of the United States. The way the international community responds will be decisive for the multilateral system. As our President expressed, Cuba will not remain indifferent. We will continue to defend international law and peace and the rights of the Palestinian people. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I call on Germany, please.

Mr. President, Germany thanks the Government of Qatar and all Member.

States of the OIC and the GCC for their initiative to hold this urgent debate. We join fellow members of this council in condemning the violation of Qatar's territorial sovereignty. It is unacceptable and poses a risk to achieving a negotiated deal which would secure the release of all remaining hostages and end the war in Gaza. Germany wishes to express its strong and sincere appreciation for Qatar's crucial mediation role in this conflict. We urge that everything possible be done right now so that a permanent ceasefire can finally be reached, the people of Gaza can receive desperately needed humanitarian assistance, and the hostages can return to their families.

One thing remains clear.

It is up to Hamas to lay down arms, unconditionally release all hostages, and abandon terror against the State of Israel. The violence that we have seen over the last months is an outcome of Hamas' horrific terrorist attack on Israel on 7th of October 2023.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. The distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea is recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Republic of Korea aligned itself with the Security Council press statement issued on 11 September 2025, in which Council members expressed their condemnation of the recent strikes in Doha, the territory of a key mediator. These attacks are unacceptable as they violate the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and risk further escalating instability in the region. We are also deeply concerned that these Israeli attacks targeting Hamas were carried out within the territory of the State of Qatar, which has played a vital role in easing regional tensions and addressing the dire humanitarian crisis that has persisted since the terrorist attacks by Hamas two years ago. By striking a mediator, these attacks jeopardize ongoing negotiations to secure an immediate ceasefire, ensure the release of all hostages, and facilitate humanitarian aid. The Republic of Korea highly appreciates Qatar's commitment to mediation despite these recent attacks, and we reaffirm our support for all diplomatic efforts toward a peaceful resolution. No state, under any circumstances, is exempt from the obligation to respect international law. We sincerely hope that a comprehensive lasting resolution of the conflict, grounded in the vision of a two-state solution, will be achieved without delay. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I now recognize the distinguished representative of Colombia.

President, Colombia supports this urgent debate and robustly condemns the attacks perpetrated by forces of the Israeli state in Doha, Qatar, on the 9th of September, which constitutes a comprehensive violation of international law and violation of a mediator state's sovereignty. It's symbolic that the attack took place in Qatar. This is a country which promotes negotiation and seeks diplomatic exits to confrontation. These actions undermine the multilateral system, and they weaken principles of international law. As a result, we reiterate our invitation to member states to stand together with the Hague Group and progress towards concrete measures to guarantee accountability following violations of international law. Colombia calls for the preservation of peace and the guarantee of the strict respect for international humanitarian law, human rights, and the protection of life. and the civilian population are principles that must be safeguarded by the international community as a whole. Colombia recognizes the commitment of the State of Qatar to support peace and diplomacy and its efforts to promote negotiated political solutions. This deserves and warrants reiteration by all of us of our support. We urge and call for a peaceful settlement of the Palestine conflict and the fostering of a two-state solution. Thank you, President.

Thank you very much, says the President. Bangladesh, please.

Mr. President, Bangladesh unequivocally condemns the recent Israeli military aggression against the state of Qatar.

Such actions constitute a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, as well as of international law.

And the principle of the UN Charter. Acts that target a mediator undermine every channel towards de-escalation and peace process.

Mr. President, Bangladesh stands in steadfast solidarity with the government and the people of the brotherly state of Qatar.

In the face of this unlawful and unprovoked attack. This incident is yet another indication of Israel's continued disregard for regional stability, international peace, and established international norms. Such actions undermine global efforts towards peace and security.

Mr. President, we call on all parties to respect the inviolability of states engaged in mediation and to.

Desist from any action that international law prohibits or that jeopardize regional stability. From this UDI, we call for a clear affirmation that attacks on mediators and on sovereign territories are unacceptable and threaten broader regional understandings. We call upon the international community to take appropriate measures to ensure accountability and to uphold respect for international law and the UN Charter. I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now recognize Switzerland.

President. Switzerland welcomes the holding of this urgent debate on the negative repercussions on human rights of the airstrikes undertaken in Doha against Hamas leaders engaged in ceasefire negotiations. We note that as a result, there have been serious human rights violations and civilians were killed or injured. Switzerland expresses its solidarity with Qatar and condemns these attacks, which constitute an unacceptable violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty in the country. This also represents a key obstacle to negotiation efforts being undertaken by Qatar with a view to reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. As regards the steps proposed by Qatar to respond to these strikes, we propose that this discussion is brought to the General Assembly, because the Human Rights Council must remain a place for debate concerning human rights. Switzerland recalls that international law, including the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and human rights law, must be respected in all contexts by all actors. Switzerland calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the freeing of all hostages, and free humanitarian access in line with international humanitarian law. There is no military solution to the conflict in the Near East, and Switzerland calls for all parties to commit to a constructive solution through a political negotiation founded on a stalemate solution and international law. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I now recognize France, says the President.

Thank you very much, President. High Commissioner, France aligns itself with the EU statement. France condemns the Israeli strikes, which impacted Qatar on the 9th of September 2025. These are unacceptable, regardless of the motive. France reiterates its commitment to respecting Qatar's sovereignty and expresses its solidarity with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, and the people of Qatar. These Israeli strikes constitute a violation of international law. and augur a new threat for regional stability. Nothing should turn us away from the aim of reaching ceasefire contacts and freeing all hostages still detained by Hamas in Gaza. France reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the hideous crimes of Hamas, a terrorist movement. France calls on all parties to recommit in good faith to negotiations in Gaza towards a ceasefire. Qatar is playing a crucial mediator role in this conflict alongside Egypt and the United States. France recalls its support to the determination expressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Qatar to continue this mediation. There is an alternative to the cycle of violence. France reiterates its call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. the unconditional freeing of all hostages, and a massive entry of humanitarian aid with no obstacle. These aims must be supported by a political consultation, as you recall, High Commissioner, based on a two-state solution. This is the only solution that will guarantee lasting and sustainable peace. Thank you very much.

I'd now like to recognize Kyrgyzstan.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Kyrgyzstan condemns in the strongest terms the aggression against Qatar, as reflected.

In a final communique adopted by the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit yesterday.

We stand in full.

Solidarity with Qatar and stress that targeting diplomatic and humanitarian facilities undermines regional peace and jeopardizes vital mediation efforts.

The Human Rights Council must remain firm in upholding sovereignty.

Territorial integrity and the protection of civilians.

We therefore call for.

Full accountability, the exercise of restraint, and renewed commitment to dialogue in order to prevent further escalation and safeguard international.

Law.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. And now, recognize Algeria, please.

Algeria strongly condemns and denounces the heinous Israeli aggression that targeted the Qatari capital, Doha. We express our full and unwavering solidarity with our brotherly state of Qatar in these alarming circumstances. The deliberate expansion of Israel's multifaceted and indiscriminate aggression, most notably the targeting of the negotiation team working to end the brutal assault on Gaza, clearly demonstrates that the occupying power has no genuine intention to pursue peace. This reckless act reveals a complete disregard for diplomacy and confirms once again that Israel recognizes no limits to its brutality, nor respect for international law and fundamental humanitarian principles. It further proves that the release of hostages is neither important nor a priority for Israel. This dangerous escalation is made possible by the continued lack of accountability. While calls for accountability often resonate loudly in this council during country-specific debates, a troubling silence prevails when it comes to Israel. The failure to impose consequences only emboldens further crimes to erode the credibility of the international legal system. This extremely serious situation demands a resolute and urgent response. The international community must assume its responsibility and Israeli impunity and prevent this aggression from plunging the region into further instability and insecurity. I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now recognize Belgium.

President, my delegation aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. Belgium supports this urgent debate and condemns Israel's violation of Qatar's territorial integrity. We would like to express our solidarity with Qatar's government and people, and we urge Israel to respect international law, including the principle of the sovereignty of other countries in the region. My delegation greets Qatar's determination to continue its role as mediator in the conflict and calls on all stakeholders to avoid any action which might jeopardize the mediation and regional stability. Belgium lobbies for the full respect of international law, the release of all hostages, and the immediate implementation of a ceasefire. We remain profoundly concerned by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and insist that the provision of humanitarian aid must occur immediately.

Thank you very much. Gambia.

Mr. President, the Gambia unequivocally condemns the recent Israeli airstrikes on the state of.

Qatar, which have resulted in devastating loss of life.

Widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, and heightened instability across the Gulf region. These actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including the sovereignty of Qatar and the core principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. We extend our deepest condolences and unwavering solidarity to the government and peoples of Qatar during this time of immense grief and challenge.

The Gambia reaffirms its resolute support for Qatar's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to security.

Respect for state sovereignty is the bedrock of the international order. Any act of aggression that disregards this principle not only undermines global peace and security, but also poses a profound.

Threat to human rights worldwide.

The Gambia urgently calls upon the international community and the Council in particular to take immediate and decisive action to halt further escalation, ensure accountability for these violations, and prioritize the protection of civilian lives. The Gambia remains steadfast in its commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence.

We pledge our full support to all efforts aimed at restoring peace, stability, and security in the Middle East.

And beyond.

We thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. Japan, please.

Thank you, Mr. President.

At the outset, Japan thanks the OIC and the GCC for the initiative to request convening of this urgent debate.

Japan strongly condemns the attack by Israel in Qatar on the 9th of September.

This action undermines ongoing diplomatic efforts, including by Qatar, and threatens Qatar's sovereignty and security, and consequently, jeopardizes regional stability.

Although we did not participate in the joint statement delivered by South Africa, as we are not.

Fully convinced that the Human Rights Council is the best forum to address this issue.

Japan expresses its solidarity with Qatar and once again strongly urges Israel.

To immediately return to negotiations and to work in good.

Faith towards a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

We believe those are urgent priorities. Peace and stability in the Middle East are of paramount importance to the region and to the international community as a whole. Japan urges all parties concerned to refrain from any actions, including act of terrorism, that could undermine regional stability and to maintain respect.

For international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We strongly call for de-escalation of the tensions. I thank you.

Thank you very much. The distinguished representative of Cyprus is recognized.

Cyprus fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. The Israeli airstrikes in a residential area in Doha are a violation of international law, violating Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also causing civilian casualties. We welcome the UN Security Council press statement to this end. Cyprus has condemned these strikes and stands firmly in solidarity with Qatar. We value and acknowledge Qatar's leadership and long tradition in peaceful mediation. Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, is a vital facilitator for peace. Priority must be to secure the release of all hostages, achieve an immediate ceasefire, and deliver urgent humanitarian aid at massive scale for the civilians of Gaza. We urge all parties to uphold international law and refrain from actions that undermine stability and security in the region. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. Brazil, please.

Mr. President, last week, at the beginning of this HRC session, we heard warnings about the erosion of international law and its negative impact on human rights. Today, We gather to discuss another spillover from the Israeli military campaign against the State of Palestine. Brazil expresses solidarity with the State of Qatar following the recent Israeli attack against Doha, which we have strongly condemned as a blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law. The Israeli attack also undermines ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, given Qatar's important role as a mediator. Brazil is extremely concerned with the human rights situation in Gaza, particularly the indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including journalists, the famine imposed on its population, and the risk of mass forced displacement and re-invasion of Gaza City. All related human rights violations in the OPT and the wider regions must be investigated and perpetrators held accountable. We reiterate the appeal for permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip with the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory, the release of the remaining hostages, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid. Brazil remains committed to a just solution.

Thank you very much. The distinguished representative of Spain is recognized.

Thank you very much, President. Spain aligns itself with the EU's statement and robustly condemns the attacks of the 9th of September in Doha perpetrated by Israel. It expresses its solidarity with the Qatari authorities and people. The characterization of these attacks has been outlined eloquently by the High Commissioner, whose statement we align ourselves with fully from the first word to the last full stop in the face of these humanitarian catastrophe that we're witnessing in Gaza. We call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire. There is no military alternative to the diplomatic route to attain lasting peace in the region. We reiterate that the practical implementation of a two-state solution is the only road to peace and to satisfy the legitimate expectations of of Israelis and Palestinians for a situation of stable security. We reject violence and the systematic human rights violations suffered by hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza and across other occupied Palestinian territories. We call for the immediate, unrestricted entrance of humanitarian aid. Israel must act in line with international law and international human rights law, the mandate of this Council. is a core fundamental instrument for the United Nations to work for peace, the peace we also want to see and desperately yearn for in both Israel and Palestine. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And I recognize Ghana.

Mr. President, Ghana is deeply concerned by the unprovoked Israeli armed attack on the sovereign state of Qatar, resulting in the loss of lives and extensive damage to public property. This armed attack cannot be justified under any circumstance, and we roundly condemn it. The attack also constitutes a clear violation of international law and an affront to sovereignty of the state of Qatar. The attack equally undermines the ongoing pursuit of peace between the states of Palestine and Israel. Mr. President, Ghana stands in solidarity with the people of Qatar in these challenging times. We commend Qatar for their tireless and impressive commitment towards the resolution of the conflict between the states of Israel and Palestine, and further appeal that this condemnable incident is not allowed to derail Qatar's efforts in negotiating a peaceful diplomatic resolution of the conflict.

Thank you.

Thank you, and I call the distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you, Mr. President. South Africa expresses its solidarity with Qatar and condemns the strike carried out by Israel, which targeted a civilian compound located in Doha. This attack constitutes a violation of the UN Charter, global norms, and international law, breaching the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. while also undermining the safety of civilians and protected persons, amounting to war crimes. It strikes against the very heart of mediation processes, given the critical role that Qatar plays in efforts to facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza. It demonstrates that Israel does not want to end its genocidal war against the Palestinian people. As such, South Africa believes that the international community should end Israel's impunity and hold it accountable. Israel's belief that it is exempt from accountability has given rise to its genocidal attacks on the Palestinian people. It is time for the international community to demonstrate through practical countermeasures that Israel does not enjoy some form of special immunity from accountability. Accordingly, we call on Israel to desist from such attacks. We similarly call on Israel to immediately halt the unbearable suffering that it is inflicting on the Palestinian people. and to bring a decisive end to its unlawful occupation of Palestine once and for all, which lies at the root of this attack. I thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Netherlands.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the EU statement.

We thank the OIC and GCC for convening this urgent session.

We express our solidarity with the state of Qatar in light of the recent Israeli strikes in Doha on the 9th of September. The Netherlands condemns these attacks and underlines that Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. We reiterate the urgent need to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, to secure the release of all hostages, to enable a drastic increase of humanitarian aid, and to launch a process towards a sustainable solution to this conflict. This attack is clearly a step in the wrong direction and risks undermining ongoing efforts. The Netherlands highly values the important mediating role of Qatar and commands its continued commitment to this task. At the same time, the Netherlands reiterates its position that Hamas is a terrorist organization that must lay down its weapons and can have no role in the future of the Gaza Strip.

Thank you.

Thank you. I now call the distinguished representative of Morocco for a video statement.

The Kingdom of Morocco firmly condemns the Israeli aggression. on Qatar, which is a flagrant violation of international law and a threat to regional security. Morocco is in complete solidarity with our fraternal country of Qatar and supports everything it can do to protect the sovereignty of its citizens, its peace and security. This is why we call upon the international community to address this situation Taking a firm stance, the Kingdom of Morocco, pursuant to the vision of His Majesty, considers that the two-state solution with the creation of a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is the only way to bring justice to the Palestinian people and to instill peace and security and stability in the region. In this context, Morocco rejects firmly the behavior and the provocative declarations by Israel on the deportation of Gaza citizens and the settlement activities in the West Bank, which are undoubtedly a violation of international law and IHL. Thank you.

Thank you. Your Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, for procedural reasons, we are going to close this meeting and have a one-minute break before we carry on with our urgent debate and, if time then allows, to continue our interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. So I declare the 11th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council closed.