VALLETTA, 9 October 2025 – Malta hosted the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth, marking the first ministerial gathering of its kind in 13 years and a key milestone of the country’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Chaired by the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima, the conference brought together ministers, senior officials and youth delegates from across the Council of Europe, creating a rare platform for intergenerational dialogue and reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening youth participation in democratic life.
In his opening address, the Minister highlighted the urgent need to empower young people to navigate an increasingly complex socio-political landscape shaped by disinformation, polarisation and declining trust in institutions. This message resonated strongly throughout the conference, with both ministers and youth delegates stressing that policies are more effective, forward-looking and people-centred when young people are meaningfully involved in decision-making.
The discussions also provided an opportunity to assess progress since the previous conference in light of the Reykjavík Declaration and to help shape the future direction of European youth policy. A particular focus was placed on embedding youth perspectives more systematically in policymaking processes.
The conference concluded with the unanimous adoption of three landmark texts: the Valletta Declaration on Young People for Democracy: Youth Perspectives in Action, the Reference Framework on a Youth Perspective, and the Resolution on the Future of the Youth Sector. Together, these documents set out a renewed vision for European cooperation in the youth field.
In her closing remarks, Ambassador Camilleri Vettiger underscored the central role of the youth sector in advancing the Council of Europe’s broader mission to safeguard democracy. She noted that Malta’s Presidency had prioritised amplifying young people’s voices and strengthening connections between youth stakeholders and high-level policymakers, ensuring that youth priorities remain firmly anchored in the Council’s agenda.
Alongside the Ministerial Conference on Youth, a series of dynamic side events was organised to broaden the conversation on youth empowerment and deepen engagement between policymakers, young people and key stakeholders.