“In Cyprus, for example, our Mission of Good Services helped young people from both communities to unite around common concerns”
The Good Services Mission has helped young people from both communities in Cyprus unite around common environmental concerns, said UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peace Affairs, Rosemary Di Carlo, who briefed the Security Council on “ the role of young people in addressing security challenges in the Mediterranean”.
Ms Di Carlo, referring to the leadership role of young people, in influencing, advocating and claiming greater political will and action on climate change , brought Cyprus as an example.
“In Cyprus, for example, our Good Services Mission helped young people from both communities unite around common concerns about environmental sustainability and prepare common positions for COP28 last December,” he said.
< p>He also referred to the effects of war conflicts on young people in the Mediterranean region. As he said, one in four young people around the world are affected by violence or armed conflict.
“Women are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, while young people are more likely to be recruited by armed groups when they have no other livelihood opportunities,” she said, addressing the Security Council.
Ms. Di Carlo said that these grim facts and figures, including the unfolding devastation in a part of the Mediterranean after the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the ensuing war in Gaza have destroyed the lives of many young people.
According to UN figures seventy percent of the population in Gaza is under 30 years old and almost all of them have been exposed to unprecedented levels of trauma, violence, disease and food insecurity.
