TRIPOLI– Twenty-four young men and women from 18 municipalities across Libya’s Western Mountains called for greater youth representation in political decision-making, increased opportunities for women and a stronger role for local governance during a meeting with the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Stephanie Koury, yesterday.
The meeting brought together members of the Youth Union of Jabal, a youth-led initiative established in 2017 to promote cooperation and reconciliation between communities. Participants stressed that young people must be recognized as partners in finding solutions to Libya’s political challenges, rather than excluded from decisions affecting their future.
“As young people in Libyan society, we often feel reluctant to engage with others about the state of our country. We feel embarrassed that, to date, we have been unable to reach an agreement. We need assurances and guarantees that will help ensure the current roadmap does not fail,” said one participant during a discussion on the outcomes of the Structured Dialogue and the next steps in the political roadmap process.
Female participants also emphasized the importance of ensuring that women, including those from cultural components, have meaningful opportunities to contribute to political discussions, reconciliation and decision-making. They called for increased training and capacity-building opportunities from the UN to strengthen women's participation and leadership.
“We need women who are educated and able to be partners in decision-making," said one participant. "We cannot build the future of Libya without half of the society. When you empower women, you are not only changing the life of one woman, but you are also expanding the horizons of an entire community,” she added.
Briefing participants on the UN-facilitated political process, DSRSG Koury outlined progress and challenges in implementing the political roadmap presented by Special Representative of the Secretary General Hanna Tetteh in August 2025. She discussed ongoing efforts to advance wider endorsement of the Smaller Convening Agreement in relation the electoral framework and address the political deadlock, emphasising that the Mission remains committed to supporting a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. She also highlighted the importance of a unified, independent judiciary and the outcomes of the Structured Dialogue in informing efforts to address Libya's political, economic and governance challenges.
Participants expressed frustration at the continued political impasse and called for greater accountability, more inclusive decision-making and stronger guarantees that the political roadmap would deliver meaningful change. Several advocated for decentralisation and a greater role for elected municipal authorities in shaping Libya's political future.
The discussion also explored practical ways young people could engage in the political process, which was not just in a dialogue. UNSMIL highlighted opportunities for youth and women to participate in civic and political life through initiatives including the Ra’idat programme and the Digital Youth Platform among other UN initiatives wide initiatives.
Participants reiterated their readiness to work with UNSMIL and other national stakeholders to overcome divisions, strengthen local participation and contribute to a more stable and unified Libya.
