20th Group of Friends on "Water, Youth and Peace"
Spotlight on Youth, Water, and Peace at the 20th Meeting of the Group of Friends
The 20th meeting of the Group of Friends on Water and Peace, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Slovenia in Geneva, brought together representatives from over 15 Permanent Missions and international organizations to address a vital theme: Youth, Water, and Peace.
Ambassador Anita Pipan opened the session by highlighting Slovenia’s commitment to meaningful youth engagement in peacebuilding and water governance, from national dialogue platforms to dedicated youth delegate programmes.
Felipe Paullier Olivera, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, emphasized the need for institutional trust and space:
“Youth don’t just show up – they lead. Let’s commit to giving them the trust, tools, and space to drive water cooperation and peace.”
The panel discussion reflected the diverse and dynamic roles youth play across sectors:
- Magdalena Zivanović (European Youth Parliament for Water – ISW/SWE): youth leadership in water governance
- Letizia Zuliani (OSCE): youth in peacebuilding and diplomacy
- Kay von Mérey (Circle of Young Humanitarians): youth-led humanitarian response
- Christophe Hodder (UN Climate Security Advisor to Somalia, online): youth-driven water and climate peacebuilding in fragile contexts
Moderated by Geneva water Hub's Project Manager, Erik A. Schnetzler, the conversation called for a shift from tokenism to genuine partnership with youth in shaping policy and implementation.
As momentum builds toward the 2026 UN Water Conference, this meeting reaffirmed the essential role of youth in advancing water cooperation and peace.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Permanent Mission of Slovenia and all participants for an inspiring and forward-looking exchange.
