UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted a presidential statement on youth, peace and security, proposing measures to increase the participation of youth in peace processes.

The adoption follows a debate in October, entitled "Mobilising the Youth towards Silencing the Guns by 2020," which aims at ending all conflict in Africa by 2020 -- a flagship project of the African Union.

The presidential statement recognized that today's generation of youth forms the majority of the population affected by armed conflict as well as the important and constructive role youth can play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts.

In the statement, the Security Council proposed measures and encouraged member states to take further steps that are already being undertaken towards mobilising the youth towards silencing the guns in Africa by 2020.

According to the statement, the Security Council encourages UN member states to "develop measures to create opportunities for the inclusive representation of youth to facilitate their full and meaningful participation in peace processes and at all decision-making levels, and include young women in those processes."

The council also suggested countries promote inclusive development to support all youth as a key for preventing conflict and enabling long-term stability and durable peace.