Kabul, Afghanistan – Yesterday, the Charge d’Affairs of the U.S. Embassy Karen Decker hosted more than 120 Afghan youth leaders for an open forum to discuss the priorities of youth in the peace process. Young leaders from government, civil society, private sector, and universities attended the day-long dialogue convened by USAID. Participants took part in roundtable discussions with peers focused on leveraging opportunities to participate in the national dialogue on peace and ways to involve youth from Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.

Charge Decker welcomed the 120 participants to the roundtable on peace and reconciliation. Highlighting that at least 63 percent of Afghans are under the age of 25, she called Afghan youth Afghanistan’s most important constituency.

USAID Mission Director Peter Natiello also addressed the group, and underscored U.S. commitment to Afghanistan’s development. “USAID remains committed and invested in Afghanistan. USAID’s recently released five-year strategy lays out a plan to support Afghanistan toward self-reliance with continued investments in education, health, private sector led economic growth, agriculture, democracy and governance, and women’s empowerment,” he said.

In a video message to the youth leaders, Ambassador Bass called on the youth of Afghanistan to engage fully in the peace process. He said, “Everyone can be part of the national conversation that informs the dialogue on peace, so you can have confidence that the people talking about your rights, your hopes, and your future, know what is important to you.”

With almost $19 billion spent on development programs in Afghanistan since 2002, USAID provides the largest bilateral civilian assistance program to Afghanistan. USAID partners with the government and people of Afghanistan to ensure economic growth led by the country’s private sector, to establish a democratic and capable state governed by the rule of law, and to provide basic health and education services for all Afghans.