Background

Children and youth engagement in climate action and decision-making has been increasingly highlighted as a critical issue in recent years, however civil society youth have still faced ongoing barriers to their meaningful participation, and there was not a dedicated youth and climate role or platform among the COP Presidency or Member States. The UAE Consensus delivered at COP28 directly addressed this, with one of the main outcomes being the institutionalization of the Presidency Youth Climate Champion role through Decision -/CP.28–2f, mandating every COP Presidency moving forward to appoint a “Youth Climate Champion between the ages of 18 and 35…to facilitate the enhancement of the meaningful, inclusive engagement of youth in climate action, including within the UNFCCC process.” This event presented a unique opportunity to convene the Youth Climate Champions of COP28 and COP29, alongside representatives from the COP30 Presidency, governments, philanthropies, youth organizations, and the UN system.

Objectives

• Showcase the institutionalized structure, portfolio, and future potential of the Presidency Youth Climate Champion role, as well as opportunities for engagement.
• Discuss how this newly formalised role can best deliver for children and youth through collaboration between stakeholders including UN agencies, youth climate leaders, philanthropies, and Parties.
• Identify synergies and shared ongoing goals across the troika COP Presidencies of the UAE, Azerbaijan and Brazil, as well as hear feedback and priorities of Parties and youth-led entities.
• Consider the development of the PYCC role within the context of the Summit of the Future and Future Generations Pact.

Expected Outcomes

Through high—level interventions and a dialogue between Parties, UN agencies, youth advocates and philanthropies, the event was to set a roadmap for how the PYCC role can best unlock the potential of youth and children impact within international climate negotiations.

Agenda

Moderator:  Alanoud Al Shamsi, International Partnerships Specialist, UAE Ministry of Community Development

Welcome

● Amb. Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN

Opening interventions:

● Shahin Shahyarov, Senior Negotiator, COP29 Presidency

● H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui, COP28 Youth Climate Champion and UAE Minister of Community Development

● Amb. Liliam Chagas, Director for Climate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Brazil

● Dr. Felipe Paullier, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs

● Harshita Umesh, YOUNGO

Panel on the YCC structure and COP29 YCC objectives: (20 mins)

● Leyla Hasanova, COP29 Youth Climate Champion

● Fleur Newman, Head of ACE, Gender and Youth, UNFCCC

● Theo Mitchell, Director, Europe & International, Climate, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

● Francisco Vera, UNICEF Youth Advocate

● Verania Chao, Global Inclusivity Advisor, UNDP

● Panel moderator: Rubby Haji Naif, COP28 International Youth Climate Delegate

Open discussion: (20 mins)

Audience included: representatives of Parties, philanthropies, NGOs, UN agencies, and youth entities

Closing remarks:

Daniele Violetti, Senior Director, Programmes Coordination, UNFCCC