Youth-led Climate Forum Thematic Session III
CLIMATE JUSTICE FOR ALL: MAINSTREAMING CHILDREN, YOUTH, GENDER AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS IN THE CLIMATE POLICIES.
14 November 2025 14:00 -15:00
Room: MR 16 (Blue Zone)
Background
Climate change affects everyone, but not equally. Those who have contributed the least to the crisis often bear the greatest burdens.
Meaningful inclusion and participation of affected communities in all aspects of climate policymaking is therefore essential to achieve fair and effective solutions. This session aims to create space for dialogue grounded in diverse perspectives and experiences, it will explore how climate policies can truly reflect equality, equity, and justice by integrating the realities, leadership, and knowledge of children, women and girls, gender-diverse individuals, youth, and Indigenous Peoples.
Objectives
- Highlight the importance of intersectional approaches that bring together the perspectives of women and girls, gender-diverse individuals, children and youth, and Indigenous Peoples across all climate policy areas.
- Discuss how to make climate policies both gender-responsive and child-sensitive, while strengthening Indigenous leadership and youth-driven innovation.
- Encourage collaboration and exchange among negotiators and civil society members to promote inclusion and equity in climate decision-making processes.
Expected outcomes
- Participants will gain a deeper understanding of why diverse perspectives are vital to advancing equality, equity, and justice within the UNFCCC process.
- The discussion will inspire actionable and inclusive policy recommendations that ensure climate policies respond to the needs and leadership of all affected communities.
- Participants will identify ways to integrate gender, children’s rights, youth engagement, and Indigenous leadership across negotiation agenda items to promote holistic and just climate action.
Preliminary Agenda
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Time
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Agenda
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14:00 – 14:15
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Opening and underlining of the importance of mainstreaming of children`s rights, youth, gender and Indigenous People
- Welcome: Moderator (YOUNGO)
- Opening statement and setting the scene: Child + Indigenous youth
- Ester de Sena Carneiro (Geledes)
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14:15 – 14:20
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Policy Summary and showcase the policy documents
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14:20 – 14:50
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Structured Dialogue
- Questions from the audience so that everyone gets to ask instead of limiting it to children and youth or questions from YOUNGO only.
- Reflections from the negotiators and the high level guests
Negotiators and high level audience:
Ayan, Somalia (TBC)
Jared Huntley - AUS ACE & NGCCFP & GAP Facilitator (TBC)
Brazil's Minister for Indigenous Peoples (Portuguese speaking) (TBC)
Jennifer, Sweden NGCCFP (TBC)
Gernot Laganda - UNCIEF (TBC)
Ilze Brands - ASG for Human Rights (TBC)
H.E. Annalena Baerbock (TBC)
Saudi Arabia GST/UAE Dialogue negotiator (TBC)
Marcele Oliveira - COP30 PYCC
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14:55
15:00
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Closing
- Moderator will wrap-up the session with summary points
- Hand over of all the policy documents and the GYS
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- Documentation: Publish a comprehensive report detailing the discussions, outcomes, and the Global Youth Statement.
- Dissemination: Distribute the report to all stakeholders, including UN bodies, national governments, and NGOs.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Track the implementation of the forum’s recommendations and assess the impact on global climate policy
More information on ACE and Children & Youth events at COP 30 here: https://unfccc.int/ace/cop30