As part of its efforts to ensure full participation of youth and other components in the process of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) organized on Sunday, 18 October 2020, the first virtual meeting of the Libyan Youth Track that brought together 40 male and female participants from various political, ethnic and tribal backgrounds in Libya.

At the outset of the meeting, which brought together young men and women from across the Libyan spectrum, the ASRSG and Head of UNSMIL, Stephanie Williams, commended in her opening remarks their acceptance of the invitation to participate in this dialogue. Ms. Williams emphasized the role of youth as being the hope and future of Libya, and that the recommendations they would agree on will be on the agenda of the LPDF.

Ms. Williams also praised the excellent level of interaction and constructive discussion in the Digital Dialogue in which about 1000 young Libyan men and women from inside Libya and diaspora participated. She stressed that it was clear that there is "lack of trust among the youth in the status quo and those responsible for it, but despite the bleak picture of the current situation, we saw that the Libyan youth still have hopes for peace and a better future for Libya.”

Several UNSMIL experts updated the meeting on the (5+5) Joint Military Commission talks, the Economic and Human Right tracks, to keep the participants abreast of the latest developments and the Mission’s efforts on the various tracks.

All participants, during the virtual meeting, were given equal opportunities, where they expressed their views and positions of the youth movements and civil organizations they represent. Moreover, the discussion continued after the end of the formal meeting in order to reach an agreed language of the recommendations of the meeting.

The recommendations covered several topics, including on the LPDF, planned to be held next November, focusing on the security and economic tracks as well; the selection requirements and mechanisms for the executive authority during the preparatory period, calling for defining its duration within a clear and concise timeframe. In addition to giving the issue of the Constitution the paramount priority before commencement of the elections, they called for elections that should be regulated by the new Libyan constitution.

During the discussion, the youth also stressed the importance of holding the elections within a suitable timeframe, demanding real participation of the youth in all tracks of the ongoing dialogue forums and in the bodies emanating from the LPDF.  They also stressed the importance of the role of women. The  views and recommendations of the youth highlighted the importance of transitional justice, upholding the rule of law, combating corruption, unifying the institutions, realizing national reconciliation, return of the IDPs, achieving development, encouraging small and medium enterprises, preserving the rights of persons with disabilities, and compensating those affected by successive wars and crises. The recommendations also addressed the abolition and dismantling of all armed formations and the reintegration of their affiliates into unified military and security institutions, while ensuring the implementation of a security sector reform program in Libya.

The participants selected, by consensus, the youngest female participant in the Libyan Youth Track to present these recommendations in detail during the virtual session of the LPDF.

At the end of the meeting, the Head of Public Information and Communication Office, Mr. Jean Alam, expressed appreciation at the effective and meaningful discussion. “I am reassured now after hearing you that Libya will be just fine as long as you maintain this spirit, sense of responsibility and maturity,” he added.

On behalf of UNSMIL, Mr. Alam reaffirmed that the recommendations agreed upon by the participants will be taken into consideration and will be presented to the LPDF.

Original Arabic Recommendations

Translation of the Arabic Recommendations ˅˅˅