Jordanian prince, 20, becomes youngest to chair UN Security Council meeting

In this photo provided by the United Nations, Crown Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, left, shakes hands with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at United Nations headquarters, Thursday, April 23, 2015. On Thursday, Jordan's 20-year-old crown prince became the youngest person ever to chair a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. (Mark Garten/The United Nations via AP) (The Associated Press)

UNITED NATIONS – Jordan's 20-year-old crown prince has become the youngest person ever to chair a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, to applause and some "He's cute!" sighs.

Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II led an open debate Thursday on how youth can combat violent extremism and what he calls its "poisonous ideology."

In his remarks, the prince noted that over half the world's population is under 30 years old, with most living in developing countries. Jordan currently holds the council presidency.

For his part, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the prince is "not yet 21 years old, but he is already a leader in the 21st century."

Ban is urging what he calls "weapons of mass instruction" to help draw youth away from online campaigns that promote hatred and violence.