Mali's endorsement of the Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action following Local Conference of Youth on Climate (LCOY 2025)

Bamako, 2 April 2026 – The Government of Mali has today signed the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action, committing to place children, adolescents and youth at the centre of climate policy.

Mali’s Minister of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development, Mrs. DOUMBIA Mariam TANGARA signed the declaration at a ceremony in Bamako attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency Mr. Abdoulaye DIOP, the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family, Mrs. DIARRA Djénéba SANOGO and UNICEF Representative a.i Noel Marie Zagre, high-level Government officials, partners, children and young people.

UNICEF welcomes Mali’s commitment demonstrated through the signing of the Declaration - the first-of-its-kind framework to accelerate inclusive, child- and youth-centred climate policies and actions at national and global levels.

Climate change is impacting children’s health and development, safety, and access to essential services. Around one billion children – half the world’s child population – live in one of the 33 countries that are at ‘extremely high risk’ from the impacts of climate change and pollution.

In Mali, an estimated 3.2 million people, including 1.7 million children, lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Mali is identified among countries facing acute climate risk underscoring the compounded exposure of children to climate hazards and systemic vulnerabilities in access to essential services

“This signature symbolizes our country’s commitment to environmental protection and to strengthening the resilience of present and future generations in the face of climate change challenges,” said Mrs. DOUMBIA Mariam TANGARA, Minister of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development of Mali. “It also reflects the implementation of the enlightened vision of the President of the Transition, Head of State, whose steadfast commitment to national sovereignty, the protection of citizens, and sustainable development continues to guide and reinforce public action in the environmental and climate domains.”

“I personally, as a young woman, entrepreneur, and engaged actor, witness every day the impacts of climate change on our communities and on young people. Many are willing to act but still lack structure, resources, and sometimes even a voice,” said Sabou Doumbia, Coordinator of Mali LCOY 2025. “This is precisely why we are here today. This signature must mark a turning point, with stronger political commitment, more concrete actions, greater opportunities for youth, and above all greater coherence between our words and our actions.” 

“This signature marks an important milestone: Mali joins a growing coalition of nations that choose to place children’s rights and youth participation at the heart of climate action,” said UNICEF Representative a.i  Noel Marie Zagre. “UNICEF reaffirms its full commitment alongside the Government of Mali and all partners to support the next steps, particularly the development and implementation of a realistic, costed, and measurable action plan, so that this Declaration translates into concrete changes in the lives of children and young people.