Children and Young People Call for Climate Action and Greater Opportunities on Children, Youth, Education and Skills Day at COP31

ANTALYA, 14 November 2026 – On Children, Youth, Education and Skills Day at COP31, children and young people took centre stage in discussions on climate action, education, skills and resilience, sharing their priorities directly with decision-makers and partners while highlighting the importance of investing in the next generation. 

Throughout COP31, UNICEF Türkiye has brought together children, young people, government representatives, private sector partners and climate leaders to advance child-responsive climate action and reinforce a key message: while children are among those most affected by climate change, they are also powerful agents of change and essential partners in building a more sustainable future. 

During COP31, children and young people also met with Tûba Büyüküstün, UNICEF Türkiye Goodwill Ambassador, and Zehra Güneş, UNICEF Türkiye Child Rights Advocate, sharing their experiences of climate change, their aspirations for the future and their recommendations for climate action. Their participation helped amplify children's voices and highlight the importance of ensuring young people are meaningfully included in decisions that will shape the future they inherit.  

A key highlight of the day was Rights of the Next Generation: Empowering Children as Climate Leaders at COP31, organized by UNICEF and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. The event brought together young climate advocates, policymakers and partners to spotlight child- and youth-led climate action in Türkiye and globally. During the event, children and young people presented a Children's Call to Action on Climate, developed through a youth-led co-creation process at COP31, sharing their priorities and recommendations directly with decision-makers.  

The day's programme also underscored the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed to thrive in a changing world. Building on discussions held during Green Jobs for a Green Economy: Youth, Finance, and Industrial Decarbonisation, representatives from finance, industry and international organizations explored how climate finance, green skills development and industrial transformation can work together to create opportunities for young people while supporting a just and sustainable transition. Discussions focused on practical pathways to help young people access emerging green jobs and contribute to resilient, low-carbon economies.  

UNICEF also participated in the Antalya Dialogue on Children, Youth and Climate Resilience, a high-level COP31 Presidency event that brought together governments, international organizations, young people and partners to discuss climate resilience and accelerating action for children and young people.  

"Climate change is one of the greatest threats to children's rights, wellbeing and futures," said Paolo Marchi, UNICEF Representative in Türkiye. "Yet children and young people across Türkiye are already leading change in their communities. From Antalya, they are sending a clear message to the world: they want a future that is greener, fairer and more resilient. As COP31 continues here in Türkiye, we hope to see action that invests in children's participation, education and skills both to strengthen climate action today while preparing the next generation to lead tomorrow." 

As world leaders meet at COP31, UNICEF is calling for climate action that not only protects children from climate risks, but also invests in their potential as climate leaders, innovators and changemakers. This means ensuring children and young people have access to quality education, the skills needed for a green economy, and meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping the climate solutions that will define their future. 

Across all events, participants highlighted the importance of investing in climate-resilient systems, quality education, green skills and meaningful youth participation. As climate impacts intensify, UNICEF is calling for stronger partnerships and increased investment to ensure children and young people can not only withstand climate challenges but help shape the solutions. 

UNICEF remains committed to working with governments, young people, civil society and the private sector to advance climate action that protects children's rights, strengthens resilience and creates opportunities for every child and young person to thrive in a changing climate.