By Cyber Era NG Special Correspondent

Integrating women and youth to be part of solutions to challenges in times of crisis was at the centre of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group meeting that took place in Vienna today.

Chaired by North Macedonia, the meeting focused on empowering women and youth to be part of the solutions to the repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the ensuing economic challenges.

“The importance of equal and meaningful participation, inclusion, representation and equal rights for all cannot be underestimated and efforts need to be increased in this regard,” said Ambassador of North Macedonia to the OSCE, Igor Djundev. “We will build on this and work on further empowerment of women and youth providing high priority during our Chairmanship in 2023.”

“From the COVID-19 pandemic to conflicts, including the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis across Ukraine, women and youth are bearing the brunt of today’s insecurity. As such, no crisis can be solved without including women and youth as part of the solution,” emphasized OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. “This applies not only to the OSCE area, but also to the Mediterranean regions, and our partnership provides a unique and useful platform for co-operation.”

“Inclusivity builds trust and makes our societies stronger, particularly in times of crisis,” said Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Matteo Mecacc. “We will continue to work towards the full and meaningful participation of women and youth in political and public life across the OSCE region, which means ensuring that women have a real opportunity to influence the work of democratic institutions and that young people’s voices are heard and acted on.”

The OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation bring together the OSCE’s 57 participating States as well as Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.