Four young people join the Malagasy delegation as Policy Tracker of the negotiations at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29) in Azerbaijan.
Bakou, 12 November 2024 – Four young Malagasy are in Azerbaijan to participate for the first time as Policy Tracker at COP29. These young people follow the negotiations and transform technical information into accessible content to raise awareness among the general public, rallying young people, civil society, and the public and private sectors. Furthermore, they provide strategic support to the delegation by preparing rapid analyses, participating in preparatory meetings, and identifying funding to support Madagascar's climate initiatives.
Their participation in this global event is of great importance. Madagascar is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This threat weighs heavily on human rights, particularly those of children, young people, and women, affecting their health, well-being, and development. Additionally, almost half of Madagascar's Malagasy population is made up of children—some 15 million people under the age of 18.
Being young civil society activists, they prepared themselves over several months with the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development and with the support of the United Nations System in Madagascar to fully assume their role. Thanks to training provided by the Alliance Aika, in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF, thirty young people from different sectors were able to increase their understanding of climate issues and defend the interests of future generations. Some have already participated in the Conference on Biological Diversity (UNCBD COP16), while others will participate in the Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16).
“Our role as Policy Tracker for the first time at the COP is a significant step forward. It's an excellent opportunity to involve young people and children in the climate change debate and to emphasize the need for their participation. We hope that, in the future, children and young people will also be able to contribute to revising the Nationally Determined Contributions document and climate policies,” says Lucky Andrianirina, member of the youth delegation and president of the youth climate alliance, Aika. The delegation is completed by other young activists equally committed to climate action, notably Tania Lemainty, Anja Radoharinina, and Riantsoa Mihajaharivelo.
COP 29 also offers these young people the opportunity to participate in various events and conferences, bringing together young people worldwide. The Malagasy youth delegation is expected to discuss solutions, share best practices, and discuss issues such as the situation of girls and climate change and the resilience of children and young people to climate change.
“As a follow-up to the signing of the Declaration on Youth, Children, and Climate, Madagascar is committed to placing youth at the heart of climate policies. The country is advocating the active participation of young people in decision-making processes and the implementation of climate actions, with specific monitoring to measure their impact”, reaffirms Mr. Max Fontaine, Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD).
