The Liberia Youth, Peace and Security Conference 2026 is set to take place in Ganta City, Nimba County, on September 21. Organized by the National Young Women Political Council of Liberia (NYWPCL) in partnership with PeaceGen implementing partners and national stakeholders, the conference aims to advance youth leadership for peace and strengthen the implementation of Liberia's National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security. The event is themed "Advancing Youth Leadership for Peace: Strengthening the Implementation of Liberia's National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security."
The conference seeks to move Liberia's Youth, Peace and Security agenda beyond policy commitments and toward practical action in communities, particularly in rural, underserved, and conflict-affected areas. Funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Embassy of Ireland, the PeaceGen Project aims to strengthen the meaningful participation and leadership of women and young people in peacebuilding, transitional justice, memorialization, and accountability processes across Liberia.
Zoltan Szalai, Chargé d'Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, expressed pride in supporting the conference through the PeaceGen project. He emphasized that the time has come for young women and men not only to be heard but to shape decisions and lead action for peace. Szalai believes the conference can help translate Liberia's National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security into tangible results, particularly for communities in rural and conflict-affected areas.
For the first time, the conference will be held in Nimba County, bringing together young women, youth representatives, conflict-affected communities, government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to assess progress and challenges in advancing the national YPS agenda. Participants from Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Bomi, and Sinoe Counties are expected to engage in discussions on youth leadership, conflict prevention, transitional justice, community peacebuilding, and partnerships to advance sustainable peace.
Laura Targbeh, President of the National Young Women Political Council of Liberia, described the gathering as an opportunity for young people to take a more direct role in shaping Liberia's future. She emphasized that Nimba's history provides an important backdrop for discussions about Liberia's peacebuilding future. A major outcome of the conference will be the adoption of the Nimba Resolution on Youth, Peace and Security, which will outline collective commitments and recommendations from young people and other stakeholders.
Abdullah Oldpa Bility, Co-Chair of the Liberia Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (LC-YPS), stressed that implementation must receive the same attention as the development and adoption of the national plan. He emphasized the need for young people to be empowered to take ownership of the implementation process, arguing that the YPS agenda should produce measurable impact beyond policy documents.
The conference will place particular emphasis on groups often underrepresented in national decision-making, including young women, rural youth, persons with disabilities, and people from conflict-affected communities. The PeaceGen Project runs until January 14, 2029, with funding from the European Union and co-funding from the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia. It is implemented by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in partnership with national organizations.
Key points
- The conference aims to advance youth leadership for peace and strengthen the implementation of Liberia's National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security.
- The event is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Embassy of Ireland.
- The conference will adopt the Nimba Resolution on Youth, Peace and Security, outlining collective commitments and recommendations from young people and other stakeholders.
