Young climate champions of Uzbekistan initiate first-ever local conference of youth

NUKUS, 28 August 2024 – Uzbekistan has hosted its first ever Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), under the auspices of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The conference, which selected delegates from thousands of applicants, from all 14 regions of Uzbekistan, is a critical platform to drive youth climate action and accountability. The platform will bring youth to share ideas and solutions for climate challenges, network with peers and experts, and influence national and international climate policy through grassroot inputs.

“This first-ever Local Conference of Youth in Uzbekistan is a moment of pride and historical. Young people have shown what youth leadership truly looks like”, said Regina Castillo, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “We remain committed to support the strengthening of youth led climate action, climate change education and integration of green skills. Importantly, UNICEF is building skills and platforms for sustainable and regular youth engagement in climate agenda”, she added.

Further, the LCOY is aimed at educating youth and children about climate science, climate change and its impacts, as well as strengthening youth climate actions for sustainable development of Uzbekistan.

The key result of the conference will be a developed National Youth Statement with youth ideas and recommendations on the required measures for adaptation of climate change, mitigation and climate justice. The development of the statement is informed by the findings of the prior online and in-person consultations with youth across the country.

Importantly, the LCOY’s outcome statement informs the national policies and decision-making, for instance ongoing development of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0), and will be presented at 30^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) to be held in Brazil in November 2025. 

“Global climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. In the fight against it, the active participation of every individual, especially you, the dear youth, is of decisive importance. The "LCOY25" conference pursues this very goal and will serve as a crucial platform for the young generation to voice environmental initiatives and implement them”, said Gulistan Kojabaeva, Minister of Preschool and School Education of Karakalpakstan.

In Uzbekistan LCOY is built on an existing vibrant agenda on youth led climate action. Uzbekistan was the first country in the region to adapt the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Agenda. Moreover, Uzbekistan has initiated and adopted the National and International Strategies on Promoting Sustainable Development Culture and Engaging Children and Youth in Climate Agenda.

The first ever LCOY in Uzbekistan emanated from a very organic process, initiated and organized by young people – members of the National Network Young Climate Champions. It is supported by the state and international agencies such as the Ministry of Ecology, environmental protection and climate change, Ministry of Preschool and School Education, UNICEF and International Public Foundation Zamin, Administration of the Presidential School in Nukus, UNDP, IOM and others who facilitated young climate champions in organizing this important platform for knowledge, best practice exchange and policy dialogues.

“When in 2021 Zamin Foundation became a member of the international organization –Foundation for Environmental Education – and launched a new youth project, Eco-Schools Uzbekistan, we could hardly imagine that just four years later it would go beyond the schools of Uzbekistan, expand, and become a truly international movement. The eco-youth of Uzbekistan have become an independent force. We are convinced that the role of young people in environmental and sustainable development issues is not just important, it is decisive”, said Aziz Ganiev, Director of Zamin Foundation.                                                          

The first LCOY, which brought together over 100 representative delegates is anticipated to strengthen youth climate networks and partnerships among youth organizations in Uzbekistan as well as increases visibility, impact and recognition of children and youth-led climate initiatives at national, regional and global climate forums.

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