Young people will play an important role at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This will give young people a greater voice in climate action and policy-making at the event.
The conference will provide an opportunity for young people to engage directly with COP30 and contribute to the ongoing discussion on climate change. It will also ensure that young people are represented in decision-making processes within international climate negotiations. Young people will demand concrete action and accountability from leaders to mitigate climate change and move beyond empty promises. Above all, young people call for strong leadership, green jobs and inclusive governance, positioning COP30 as a critical milestone for climate justice.
Ethiopian climate activist Abegaz Ayana argued that discussing the climate crisis without listening to young people means ignoring the majority of the continent’s population. “More than 70% of Ethiopia’s population is young, and the same is true across Africa, where over half of the population is under 30. Excluding these voices from decision-making processes denies the demographic reality of our countries,” she said.
Kenyan environmentalist Otiende Rosy Mary argues that young people should be recognised as active leaders in the present, not just a promise for the future. She believes that youth engagement is crucial because it is the younger generations who will be most severely impacted by the climate crisis. “Young people are leaders now. We need to build a legacy of justice, transparency and meaningful action in response to the climate crisis,” she stated.
As Maria de Jesus from Mexico points out: “We want to be heard. We have the right to be at the centre of decision-making processes.”
On the other hand, Francis Mugesa from Uganda feels that the opinion of young people does not matter. “During the meetings, we feel that our contributions do not influence decisions, as government positions prevail,” he points out.
Shu’a Ahmed Shaheen, from the Maldives, said: “Climate change isn’t just about the environment; it’s about our future. As young people in the Maldives, we are concerned about the impact of rising sea levels and extreme weather on our homes, education and future opportunities. The only way to protect our islands and our future is to take immediate action now.”
“Our contribution to COP30 in Belém must accurately reflect the perspectives of young people,” said Rosaria Martinez from Argentina. She believes that the conference must be a turning point at which the voices of young people are incorporated into decision-making processes. ‘If more than half of the population is young, a policy that does not include their voices cannot be considered representative,’ she warned.
In Dar es Salaam, young climate activist Sharon Ringo emphasised the important role that young people can play in addressing climate challenges. “I urge leaders to prioritise children in climate action and listen to our voices. We have valuable contributions to make. We are not too young to lead, and we are not too small to make a difference. We want COP30 to be a turning point, and we must demand climate justice that includes children, girls, and marginalised communities.”
Patricia Suárez, a young member of the Murui Indigenous community, highlights: ‘Our grandparents taught us to listen, to give generously, and to speak with words full of life and kindness. We understand the territory because we are part of it. The river speaks to us, and the jungle listens to us. But the national governments do not listen to us. In Belém, we will make our land’s voice heard.” (Illustration: 123rf)
Célin R. Diof
