Kathmandu: The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is convening the first-ever UN Youth4Disarmament Forum at the UN Headquarters in New York on 16 and 17 October.
The event is being held on the margins of the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security, where youth participation in disarmament efforts is under active discussion.
The UN Youth4Disarmament Forum is set to bring together 30 young leaders from various youth networks across the globe who are active in disarmament. Moreover, it will focus on the nexus between nuclear weapons and emerging technologies, a topic that requires increased attention in the disarmament field.
The two-day event opened on 16 October with a high-level session featuring representatives from Member States, UN entities, civil society organizations, think tanks, and youth networks to discuss policies and gaps in addressing this nexus and its impact on disarmament and non-proliferation dynamics. The opening session is being broadcast live on UN Web TV from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Jointly designed and led by youth participants, the Forum marks a milestone in empowering young voices in global disarmament dialogue. It will produce an outcome document containing key recommendations on the nexus between nuclear weapons and emerging technologies. Additionally, the outcome document will also be presented for feedback to Member States, the United Nations, and civil society representatives during a side event on 17 October.
According to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, the Forum aims to foster collaboration and build lasting global networks among young people engaged in disarmament. “Our goal is to foster collaboration and build lasting networks across these communities. That’s what makes this Forum truly unique — it is creating a global platform where young people can connect, communicate, and contribute to shaping disarmament policy,” she said.
The UN Youth4Disarmament Forum, supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea, provides a dynamic platform for interactive dialogue, bridging the gap between youth and policymakers. By ensuring that youth perspectives inform UN disarmament decision-making, the initiative seeks to renew global commitment to engaging young people as partners in advancing peace, security, and disarmament.
