The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), in collaboration with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and in partnership with Search for Common Ground through the AU–EU Youth Voices Lab, UNDP, UNFPA, the Horn of Africa Youth Network, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), ACCORD, GIZ, Youth for SDGs, and UNOY, convened a Stocktaking Conference on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) under the theme “Reflections and Renewed Commitments for Africa.” The conference took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8-10 December 2025.
The conference brought together youth peacebuilders alongside representatives from the African Union (AU), RECs, Member States, civil society, and development partners. Its primary objective was to reflect on lessons learned over the past decade of YPS implementation and to translate these insights into concrete actions to guide the next ten years of the agenda.
Over the three days, participants engaged in panel discussions examining the status of the YPS agenda at global, continental, regional, and national levels. Discussions emphasised the urgent need to bridge the gap between policy commitments and implementation, underscoring the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms to assess impact. Participants also highlighted the role of civil society and youth-led organisations in raising grassroots awareness of YPS, as well as the need for improved coordination among development partners—particularly in a context of shrinking resources.
Breakout sessions provided a space for interactive reflection on lessons learned from National Action Plan (NAP) development and implementation processes, as well as the challenges encountered. Participants also explored cross-cutting issues shaping the YPS agenda, including the use of new technologies, gender dynamics, civic protests, and the influence of Gen Z movements.
A key component of the conference focused on impact measurement. Participants were introduced to a common impact framework anchored in the Five Vital Signs of a Healthy Society—Agency, Legitimacy, Trust, Safety, and Resources. Facilitators explained how these indicators can be applied in local contexts to assess the health of societies and measure the collective impact of youth-led peacebuilding initiatives. Discussions also addressed challenges related to communicating impact and ensuring shared understanding across stakeholders.
ACCORD moderated a session titled “From Theory to Practice: Understanding the Tools of ‘How To’,” which aimed to move participants from conceptual discussions to practical and actionable strategies. Through parallel breakout sessions, participants examined best practices, opportunities, and recommendations related to knowledge production and research, resourcing for YPS, coalition-building, and strengthening political buy-in. The conference also served as a consultation platform for the Second Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security.
The outcome of the conference was presented at the 4th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security in Bujumbura, Burundi, contributing to broader continental efforts to advance the implementation of UNSCR 2250 and the African Union Continental Youth Framework on YPS.
