NEW YORK, September 21, 2026 — Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced a lineup of national and international officials for a high-level forum on Youth, Peace and Security on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The event, under the theme “Rooting and Rising: Liberia’s Vision for Youth, Peace and Security,” is intended to highlight Liberia’s efforts to increase young people’s participation in peacebuilding, security, development and national decision-making.
The forum is scheduled for Friday, September 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York.
According to the Ministry, speakers include Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah.
International speakers include Diene Keita, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Elizabeth Mary Spehar, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support; and Dr. Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs.
The high-level dialogue will focus on Liberia’s efforts to strengthen the role of young people in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and sustainable development.
The Ministry said the discussions will also highlight Liberia’s investment in the PATHWAYs Reform Mandate, an initiative aimed at creating greater opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the country’s peace and development agenda.
Liberia has increasingly sought to place youth participation at the center of peace and security discussions, particularly as the country brings its post-conflict recovery experience to international forums.
The Ministry said the New York event provides an opportunity to present Liberia’s priorities on Youth, Peace and Security while strengthening international partnerships around youth-led peacebuilding and development.
It said the engagement is also intended to promote a more inclusive approach to peace and security in which young people are treated as active partners in national development and conflict prevention.
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