Young people present Papua New Guinea’s first Youth Climate Manifesto to Government

PORT MORESBY, 8 October 2026 – Young people in Papua New Guinea today presented the country’s first Youth Climate Manifesto to Government representatives, setting out their priorities and recommendations for climate action and how they want to help shape the national response.

Developed through youth-led consultations held on 22 and 24 September, the manifesto draws on the experiences and knowledge of young people from 18 of Papua New Guinea’s 22 provinces. It focuses on helping communities adapt to a changing climate, while promoting the meaningful role of young people as active contributors to climate action.

The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and UNICEF supported the process, with funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA. Young people identified and discussed the issues that mattered to them and developed the recommendations, while CCDA and UNICEF provided technical support and opportunities to engage with policymakers.

The Manifesto's key message and call to action is clear.

Climate change is already affecting our communities, livelihoods, food, water and our futures. Young people are not only experiencing these impacts—they are already taking action and want to be part of the discussions, decisions and implementation of climate solutions. Climate action must be community-led, inclusive and grounded in the realities of communities across PNG, drawing on indigenous and traditional knowledge alongside science and technology. They are calling for practical investment in resilient livelihoods, water, ecosystems, infrastructure and disaster preparedness, as well as accessible information, adequate resources, transparent support and meaningful opportunities for young people and communities to participate in climate action.

Around 1.5 million children in Papua New Guinea, or one in three, are exposed to at least two overlapping climate hazards, according to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026. These overlapping hazards threaten children’s health, nutrition, education and access to essential services.

At the policy dialogue in Port Moresby, youth representatives presented their recommendations to CCDA and other Government stakeholders. The dialogue explored how these priorities could connect with and contribute to the National Adaptation Plan; the Nationally Determined Contribution, which sets out Papua New Guinea’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement; and national work on loss and damage. It also considered opportunities for young people to contribute to international climate discussions, including COP31.

“The manifesto gives us an opportunity to hear young people’s recommendations directly and examine how they can contribute to national adaptation planning and work on loss and damage. Their continued involvement will matter as these plans move forward,” said Mr. Jacob Ekinye, General Manager, Adaptation and Projects Division, CCDA.

The dialogue was the final session of the Workshop on Strengthening Adaptation Planning and Linking Youth Climate Priorities to National Climate Action in Papua New Guinea, held from 6 to 8 October in Port Moresby. Organised by UNICEF in partnership with CCDA under the KOICA-supported Climate Action for the Last Mile programme, the workshop also helped Government officials strengthen adaptation planning, financing and monitoring.

“Children and young people will live with the consequences of today’s climate decisions for many years. This manifesto gives decision-makers a chance to hear what young people are asking for, respond to their proposals and keep them involved as national plans move forward,” said Ms. Kateryna Lytvynenko, Acting UNICEF PNG Country Representative.

Follow-up discussions will consider the Government’s feedback, opportunities to take the youth recommendations forward through relevant national processes, and ways for young people to remain involved. The manifesto will provide a shared basis for that engagement, with young people’s priorities guiding the discussion.