Background

All regions face differentiated and disproportional impacts of climate change. Populations and communities remain exposed to climate risks with limited resources and ability to adapt to and mitigate its effects.

Asia Pacific region is no stranger to climate change impacts. Devastating floods, severe droughts, and many other disaster- and climate-related events continue to affect countries and communities. In this critical decade, the call is to further accelerate the momentum for climate action informed by latest science and indigenous and traditional knowledge and driven by an all-of-society approach.

This session highlights the importance of empowering all stakeholders (governments and policymakers, non-Party stakeholders (NPS), and partners), with particular focus on the youth, to achieve the needed ripple effect when undertaking climate action across the globe. This intervention responds to the Paris Agreement and the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST1) which recognized the crucial role of youth engagement in addressing climate crisis.

The GST1 outcomes likewise recognized the significant role of non-Party stakeholders (NPS), including the youth, in supporting Parties in determining strategies to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

The next round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) is due next year (2025). With the latest science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicating the need to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% in 2035, it has become more critical for countries to revisit their strategies, ensuring alignment of climate action with sustainable development pathways.

In tackling what course-correcting and raising ambition means for countries, the youth, as agents of change, must be given a space in the discussions. Exchanging views on best practices and lessons learned, gaps and challenges, and opportunities to ensure more meaningful youth engagement in processes - is therefore critical in outlining the next courses of action and ensuring the inclusivity of the process.

Objectives

• To review important concepts to further the understanding of the youth's role in climate action, highlighting the importance of engaging them in accelerating climate action and working towards a just and inclusive transition;
• To initially determine the level/extent of youth engagement in previous NDC and other UNFCCC processes by the governments;
• To discuss entry points for meaningful youth engagement beyond checklists and advocacy aspects, and
• To further strengthen regional support and collaboration, including ensuring meaningful youth engagement in shaping the NDCs 3.0.