Youth Summit in Mexico City
In response to today’s rapidly evolving global crises, the Youth Summit on Peace and a Sustainable Future held from July 22 to 25, 2025, at the Centro Eugenio Méndez Docurro in Mexico City indeed stood as a definitive turning point in how young leaders approach governance, diplomacy, and peacebuilding.
Convened by the Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research (IPPDR), the summit welcomed 675 participants from 57 countries worldwide, including 32 in-person delegates, and hundreds of virtual attendees spanning six continents.
Together, they created a vibrant platform for constructive dialogue, leadership training, and collective policymaking, thereby fostering informed decision-making. Rather than serve as a ceremonial event, the summit functioned as a high-level academy for future peacebuilders.
Moreover, it offered in-depth capacity-building in public policy, civic responsibility, and the functional dynamics of international systems, notably United Nations Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A Summit Rooted in Action
With invaluable support from statesmen, diplomats, legal experts, academics, and civil society leaders, the summit effectively delivered targeted sessions that bridged theory and application.
Workshops and panels explored subjects, among others, including:
• Peace negotiations and conflict prevention
• Ethical technology and artificial intelligence
• Environmental justice and adaptation strategies
• Human rights advocacy and global citizenship
• Cross-cultural and intergenerational diplomacy
• Climate change and adaptation
But above all, the summit elevated youth from audience to authorship, positioning them as legitimate contributors to the global governance landscape.
“This is not just a mere summit, but rather an awakening, for the first time, I vividly saw my ideas recognized not just as valid, but essential”
Delegate from Panama
The Mexico Declaration: A Roadmap for Peace
The summit culminated in the drafting and adoption of the Mexico City Youth Declaration on Peace and a Sustainable Future, thereby building upon the 2024 Montpellier Declaration in France.
Consequently, this new declaration establishes a bold vision and clear commitments from youth to governments, institutions, and fellow citizens.
Key priorities outlined include:
• The creation of national youth advisory councils in government
• The integration of peace education and civic literacy in public schools
• Responsible innovation through ethical AI for peacebuilding
• The expansion of youth representation within diplomatic and UN processes
• Legal and physical protection for youth activists and defenders
The declaration was the product of multilingual collaboration and rigorous review, specifically written by youth, for the youth. It serves not only as a call for action but as a guide for sustained impact.
Leadership in Motion
Importantly, in her address, HRH. Ambassador Dr. Andrise Bass, Founder and Chairwoman of IPPDR, emphasized the summit’s strategic nature.
Notably, she stated, “This generation is not waiting for permission. They are stepping into leadership with skill, heart, and purpose.”
Furthermore, she added, “Peace is not merely the end of conflict; rather, it is the presence of well-informed citizens, ethical leadership, and institutions that reflect the will of the people.”
Training for Global Leadership
Throughout the summit, delegates were guided subsequently through the practical processes of public governance. For instance, they explored the structure of the UN Charter, practiced policy simulations, and participated in diplomacy exercises tailored to real-world peace negotiations.
For many, the experience was both educational and transformational.
“I didn’t just attend a summit; in addition to it, I discovered my role in shaping national and international policy,” said a delegate from Somalia
What Comes Next
IPPDR will now support the regional implementation of the declaration and further engage youth through:
• Ongoing peacebuilding, practical dialogue, and cross-cultural programs
• Regional policy workshops and simulations
• Partnerships with ministries, universities, and local civil society networks
These initiatives aim to institutionalize peace education and ensure that youth are not an afterthought in governance, but an indispensable core force.
A Shared Responsibility for the Future
The Youth Summit in Mexico City was a resounding demonstration of what can happen when young people are given space, structure, and support to lead. It sends a clear message to the world: peacebuilding is not abstract, it is concrete, it is teachable, and it is already happening.
“Today is the day. Today is the time. The time is now,” declared HRH. Ambassador Dr. Andrise Bass. “Let us help them lead, so that they can shape their future. It is our responsibility and civic duty to ensure that the future is secure, dignified, and peaceful.”
The full text of the Mexico City Youth Declaration is available here in English and Spanish:
