US wants youth to play key role in peace talks

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker has encouraged Afghan youth to find their collective voice and use it to promote and protect the progress of the past 18-year.

"We respect the wisdom of Afghan elders, but we invest in Afghan youth. Now is the time for youth to find their collective voice and use it to promote and protect the progress of the past 18 years,” she said.

While hosting more than 120 Afghan youth leaders for an open forum to discuss the priorities of youth in the peace process, she said: “About 63% of Afghans are under the age of 25 and as such they are Afghanistan’s most important constituency.”

In his message, US Ambassador John Bass called on youth to engage. “Everyone can be part of the national conversation that informs the dialogue on peace, so you can have confidence that the people talking about your rights, your hopes, and your future, know what is important to you,” he said.

US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Peace Process Zalmay Khalilzad also stressed the role of youth in the peace process through a video conference.

nh/mud