Brussels, Belgium – Busiswa Noyise Dlamini, Chairperson of Eswatini’s European Union Youth Advisory Board, represented the kingdom at the Second EU Youth, Peace and Security Conference in Brussels from 10 to 14 November 2025.
Invited by the European Union, Dlamini joined young peacebuilders and policy experts from around the world to mark ten years since UN Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognised youth roles in peacebuilding. Her participation was supported by the EU Delegation in Eswatini, reflecting partnership priorities for 2021-2027, including human development, social inclusion, and youth empowerment.
The conference reviewed global progress on youth participation in peace, security, and governance. Dlamini, who leads youth engagement under the EU Youth Action Plan, shared Eswatini’s youth experiences and stressed the role of self-organised youth structures in shaping inclusive policies.
Her programme included meetings with the EEAS Equality Ambassador and teams on structured youth participation and the growing impact of youth-led policies. She also engaged with regional bodies and civil society organisations, including COMESA, ECOWAS, the Ghana National Youth Authority, and the African Union’s Legal Envoy, to discuss regional peace strategies and youth integration into political frameworks.
Discussions on climate and peace focused on linking climate shocks to security risks, improving funding access for youth-led climate initiatives, and mentoring young leaders. Sessions on political participation explored systems enabling youth to contribute to governance, local politics, and peacebuilding institutions, while also considering career pathways and long-term leadership development.
The conference ended with reflections and a vote on the Joint Youth Declaration, showing the importance of inclusive representation across diverse regions. Dlamini described the experience as transformative, reinforcing her commitment to youth governance and climate-peace integration in Eswatini, noting that young people are active contributors to peace and stability when supported by institutions like the EU Delegation.
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