A Nigerian-American youth advocate has joined young leaders from more than 80 countries at the 2026 Global Youth Diplomacy Forum in Paris, France, where participants examined diplomacy, peacebuilding, global governance and the future of international relations.
The forum, held from September 25 to 27, featured discussions and debates involving diplomats, international affairs practitioners and emerging leaders. The main proceedings on September 26 took place at the Palais du Luxembourg, home of the French Senate.
The advocate, whose background includes mathematics and data analytics, said the experience reinforced his conviction that young people have an important role to play in shaping international affairs through evidence-based advocacy, dialogue and diplomacy.
He is also involved in international advocacy through the United Nations Association of the USA.
One of the major highlights of the forum was a debate on the motion, “This House Questions Whether Modern Diplomacy Remains Effective in Preserving International Peace and Stability.”
Joining the opposition, the Nigerian-American argued that despite the limitations of international institutions, diplomacy remains indispensable to conflict prevention, negotiations and cooperation among nations.
His side won the debate with 55 votes against 14, while two participants abstained.
He said the exercise demonstrated that diplomacy was not about eliminating disagreements but creating opportunities for dialogue and finding common ground among parties with differing positions.
The session was moderated by Estonia’s Ambassador, Jüri Seilenthal; Muhammad Ahmad, chief executive officer and founder of the Youth Diplomatic Academy; and Fatima Zohra Besnouci, according to the programme distributed to participants.
The forum also provided opportunities for delegates to engage with diplomats and international affairs experts on foreign policy, multilateral cooperation, digital diplomacy and careers in international service.
A panel on modern diplomacy and foreign policy featured Thailand’s Ambassador to France, Nikorndej Balankura; Lithuania’s Ambassador to France, Arnoldas Pranckevičius; Michèle Guillaume-Hofnung, president of the Guillaume-Hofnung Institute for Mediation; and the Netherlands’ Ambassador to France, Thijs van der Plas.
Another session on diplomatic careers and international service featured Pakistan’s Ambassador to France, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch; Anke Van Lancker, deputy head of mission at the Belgian Embassy in Paris; Bulgaria’s Ambassador to France, Radka Balabanova-Ruleva; and Anna L. Nsubuga, the United Kingdom’s ambassador and permanent delegate to UNESCO.
Salome Zourabichvili, former president of Georgia, also addressed participants as a keynote speaker.
Reflecting on the discussions, the advocate said youth participation in international affairs should not be restricted to those occupying formal diplomatic positions.
He argued that young people, researchers, data analysts, entrepreneurs, advocates and members of the diaspora could contribute meaningfully to international relations through their skills, knowledge and engagement.
He also stressed the growing importance of data analytics in diplomacy, particularly in addressing complex global issues such as artificial intelligence, misinformation, climate change, migration and digital communication.
According to him, the evolving international environment requires practitioners who can interpret complex information, evaluate evidence and communicate findings effectively to support policy decisions.
He said Nigeria’s large youth population and diaspora offered opportunities for greater involvement in global decision-making, adding that young Nigerians should be equipped to contribute to international institutions and policy discussions.
The advocate added that his experience with United Nations advocacy in the United States, alongside his participation in the Paris forum, had strengthened his belief that Nigerians could make meaningful contributions to international affairs through competence, integrity and purposeful engagement.
The Global Youth Diplomacy Forum is organised by the Youth Diplomatic Academy to promote discussions on diplomacy, international relations, global governance, youth participation and policy development.
