Young people as partners in climate action from grassroots to COP
UNICEF and Generation Unlimited highlighted the importance of youth-led climate action on COP28
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In a joint event as part of COP28, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited (GenU) and the Youth Climate Champion of COP28 Presidency invited participants to a panel discussion on children and youth as partners in the Climate Action Agenda, from engagement in their communities to bringing their perspectives into COP negotiations.
In collaboration with partners from around the globe – from the public sector, the private sector, and civil society organizations, UNICEF and GenU empower young people with the necessary education, skills and opportunities as drivers of change and unlock their boundless potential to shape a greener, more sustainable world.
Kitty van der Heijden, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Bob Moritz, Global Chair, PwC, and Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council Co-Chair, and H.E. Minister Shamma Al Mazrui, COP28 Youth Climate Champion, opened the joint event by sharing their perspectives on the importance of youth-led climate action.
Young people are champions of climate action. Take young people and let them lead us – rather then the other way around
The power of one is exquisite in its simplicity. That one action can make a difference. That one action can have a powerful, positive ripple effect.
In a panel, Mary Muthoni Morrison, COP28 International Youth Climate Delegate, Ghaya Saad Al Ahbabi, UNICEF UAE Youth Advocate, and H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman Al Ghurair Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Directors Mashreq, discussed on the questions of what opportunities arise from the empowerment of young people and what needs to happen now to involve young people in the climate debate.
As a loyal supporter of UNICEF's refugee education programs in the Middle East and North Africa, H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair has opened doors of learning for thousands of refugee youth in Jordan and Lebanon.
The young climate activist Ghaya, 13 years old, is the youngest UNICEF Youth Advocate speaking on COP28. By sharing an example of hands on climate action while visiting UAE University, she demonstrated that there is no step too small to change the world: “At the university, I saw that they were using plastic bottles. Immediately and without any hesitations I emailed that these water bottles should be replaced and they should use more sustainable and renewable energy in the university. To my delight, this was taken to an action immediately. No you can go, visit UAE university and see the change.”
This event was attended by a distinguished gathering of high-profile individuals, including H.E Dr Tariq Al Gurg, CEO and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares and H.E Helder Barbalho, Governor of Pará, Brazil.
