To support youth from LDCs and SIDS

COP28 Launches International Youth Climate Delegates Programme

  • Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed attended the event, which was held at Expo City Dubai. WAM

  • Dr. Sultan Al Jaber: "Young people are able to lead the required climate action path by offering their perspectives and presenting their creativity."

  • The event witnessed the participation of young citizens in the workshops and their various projects. Cinematographer: Mostafa Ghasemi

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The Presidency of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP<>) has launched a new international program aimed at empowering youth to participate effectively in the Conference process in line with the vision and directives of the leadership that places youth empowerment among its priorities.

The launch of the International Youth Delegates Programme for Climate was part of the Road to COP28 event held at Expo City Dubai.

The event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Emirates Media Council, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and President-designate of COP28, Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo City Authority Dubai, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Community Development and Climate Pioneer for Youth at COP28, Mariam Al Muhairi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, along with a number of ministers, and climate pioneer Razan Al Mubarak.

The Road to COP28 event focused on four core themes: promoting youth engagement, amplifying their voice, empowering them with knowledge, skills and opportunities, and supporting their climate action initiatives at the all-day event, and included a range of activities such as climate-focused workshops, youth circles, youth discussions, intergenerational dialogue, and a dialogue session for climate action leaders.

The event was attended by more than 3000,28 people, including the COP<> Presidency team, ministers, students, national service personnel, youth climate activists, senior citizens, people of determination, green businesses, farmers, presenters, volunteers and others.

The programme will select 100 young people, mostly from least developed countries and small island developing States, to participate in climate negotiations and related public-private partnership initiatives, target indigenous peoples and minority groups, and provide financial support and capacity-building training to selected youth delegates.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: "In line with the vision of the leadership in the UAE to support and empower youth and activate their role in building the future, we are pleased to launch the International Youth Delegates Climate Program, which aims to empower 100 young people from around the world, especially from least developed countries and small island states, to participate effectively in the COP28 process, as young people are able to lead the required climate action path by offering their views, presenting their creativity, and contributing to the positive impact they need. As future leaders and scientists, entrepreneurs and climate activists, it is their energy and potential that make positive change, and we rely on them to achieve tangible results through which we continue to communicate minds and create a better future for all."

The Minister of Community Development and COP28 Youth Climate Leader, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, will collaborate with YOUNGO to implement the largest initiative to date to expand the participation of youth from underrepresented countries in the climate process, and by assuming the role of Climate Leader for Youth at the COP, she will contribute to amplifying the voices of global youth.

A number of participants in the Road to COP28 event, which kicked off yesterday, stressed that the UAE is capable of presenting the world with a successful version of the Conference of the Parties to Climate Change (COP28), which will promote healthy and sustainable lives for people in the world.

The event witnessed multiple participation from young citizens, whether in workshops for young people or their diverse and environmentally friendly projects, in the first activities of the Climate Change Conference to be hosted by the UAE in November this year.

Essa Al Sabousi, Director of the General Sustainability Task Force, said: "In the Year of Sustainability, our main goal is to encourage all members of society to take sustainable actions in their lives, as we consider daily actions an integral part of the UAE's policy towards a sustainable future, especially as we host COP28 in November."

He added that sustainable change in daily life depends on several parts, including encouraging the UAE society to practice it as part of daily life, including reducing food waste, especially with the approach of the month of Ramadan, as well as encouraging the acquisition of sustainable goods and collectibles.

Sarah Al Ameri, a member of the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change, said: "The Council is participating in the first event of the Conference of the Parties to Climate Change (COP28) hosted by the UAE, and among the events in which the Council participates is the "Cash Arc" event, which is based on providing basics to society about climate change, and how to reduce this phenomenon through our daily practices and habits."

Moroccan climate activist Hatem Aznak stressed the importance of the Conference of the Parties to Climate Change, which will be hosted by the UAE next November, because it coincides with an important and complex geopolitical path that the world is currently witnessing, and therefore it is necessary to take quick and concrete action on climate justice to reach climate neutrality.

He pointed out that he provided a training program for young people participating in the "Road to COP28" event, to enhance their effective and academic participation in facing climate change, which requires global efforts, adding that the UAE is working to support this trend.

Young Emirati talent

The Road to COP28 event witnessed the participation of many young Emirati cadres who displayed their artworks, including Fatima Al Marzouqi, who displayed handicrafts based on the manufacture of women's handbags, women's hats and boxes to keep collectibles, all of which are made of natural materials «newspaper fronds» in modern forms. Maryam Al Hosani displayed paintings of drawings using natural materials, including a painting of the portrait of His Highness the President of the UAE, which was based on an environmentally friendly bag. Al Hosani said that she relied on natural materials and participated in the Road to COP28 event with the aim of educating young people and visitors about the need to preserve the environment.

■ "The Road to COP28" focused on topics that promote youth participation and raise their voice.

■ Participants: "The UAE is able to present a successful version of the Conference of the Parties to Climate Change."