MONROVIA — In a major step toward advancing youth inclusion in national peacebuilding efforts, the Government of Liberia and the United Nations are set to jointly launch the country’s first National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (NAP-YPS) on Friday, August 29.
The plan, which will be officially unveiled at a high-level ceremony on Friday at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, is a product of extensive collaboration between Liberia’s Ministries of Youth and Sports and Internal Affairs, youth organizations, civil society actors, and international development partners — with technical support from UNFPA Liberia.
The NAP-YPS aligns Liberia with global and continental frameworks, including UN Security Council Resolution 2250 adopted in 2015, which calls for recognizing and promoting the role of youth in preventing conflict and building sustainable peace. It also responds to the African Union’s Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security.
According to officials, the plan aims to create an enabling environment where young Liberians are not only protected from violence and exploitation but also empowered to serve as proactive agents of peace and development.
“This National Action Plan is a testament to Liberia’s commitment to its youth,” said a statement from UNFPA Liberia. “It represents a strategic and collective effort to support the full and active participation of young people in moving Liberia forward.”
Tackling Youth Marginalization Through Policy
The NAP-YPS responds directly to the challenges faced by many young people across Liberia, including social exclusion, unemployment, lack of access to education and skills development, and vulnerabilities associated with poverty and post-conflict fragility.
Officials say the plan sets out concrete policy measures, capacity-building initiatives, and engagement platforms to ensure youth are not left behind in peacebuilding and governance processes.
The Ministries of Youth and Sports and Internal Affairs will jointly lead the coordination and implementation of the plan in collaboration with the Liberia Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security, with technical assistance from the UN system.
A Long-Awaited Milestone
The launch marks the culmination of years of advocacy by young people both in Liberia and globally. Since the adoption of Resolution 2250 — the first UN resolution to focus specifically on the role of youth in peace and security — countries have been encouraged to develop national action plans that reflect their unique challenges and contexts.
Liberia’s plan is particularly significant given the country’s youthful population and its history of civil conflict. Youth activists and stakeholders have long argued that real peace and development will only be possible if young people are meaningfully included in decision-making processes.
“We are excited about the launch and operationalization of this document,” UNFPA noted. “It is consistent with our vision of a world where every young person’s full potential is realized.”
What’s Next
Following the official launch, the government and its partners are expected to roll out public awareness campaigns, training programs, and community-based initiatives to bring the plan to life across all 15 counties. Stakeholders also say the NAP-YPS will be integrated into broader national development strategies, including Liberia’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.
With Liberia facing economic and social challenges — and youth making up more than 60% of the population — the successful implementation of the NAP-YPS could prove a turning point in building a more peaceful and inclusive future.
