The 23rd Republic of Korea – United Nations Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues (Youth Segment)

Start Date: Nov 4 2024
End Date: Nov 5 2024
Organiser's Website: https://www.unrcpd.org/the-23rd-republic-of-korea-united-nations-joint-conference-strengthening-global-biosecurity-in-the-face-of-emerging-challenges/
Location: Seoul, ROK

A dedicated program for youth participants was conducted as part of the 23rd ROK-UN Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues by UNRCPD and the BWC-ISU, jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MOFA).

Youth advocates contributed to discussions on the BWC and broader topics related to biosecurity and biosafety by participating in four sessions, including one virtual meeting, to build connections across programmes and prepare recommendations to strengthen the participation of youth. The Youth Segment of the Conference included the participation of Youth Champions for Disarmament, Youth for Biosecurity Fellows, Korean Youth Envoys for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, and MOFA interns.

The virtual pre-conference session included substantive briefings to prepare youth participants for the main event. During the parallel session, participants provided feedback and contributed inputs to the presentations scheduled for delivery at the main conference. They also engaged in a dialogue with the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, the Chief of the Regional Disarmament Branch, and the Director of the UNRCPD, alongside the 2024 Disarmament Fellows. An informal youth networking meeting was also organized, offering youth participants a platform to exchange perspectives on regional biosecurity priorities and share experiences from various youth empowerment programs.

The inclusion of a dedicated session on youth perspectives underscored the importance of facilitating opportunities for intergenerational dialogue and providing a platform for youth to share innovative solutions.

As a side event to the main conference, the Youth Segment also featured a special forum for in-depth engagement. During this forum, youth representatives presented their collective recommendations to enhance youth involvement in the Biological Weapons Convention and biosecurity initiatives. The forum served as a culmination of their collaborative efforts, showcasing their insights and proposals to key stakeholders in the field.