Youth tackle climate challenges at COY18 in Dubai

Youths, researchers and academics from across the world have been tackling crucial issues on combating the climate crisis as the 18th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18) which has concluded in Dubai.

Around 800 participants, from 165 countries, engaged in interactive sessions, workshops, and round-table discussions on topics that can enhance international climate change policies.

Delegates also contributed to the Global Youth Statement, which brings together more than 700,000 voices from 150 countries calling for world leaders to step up to the global challenge and seize the opportunity for course correction.

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, applauded the creation of the statement. “As a high level champion for climate change, I pledge to push this Global Youth Statement to greater heights,” she said.

“Climate change challenges are affecting almost half of the world population. We need to work together to tackle the challenges...through protecting nature. We should also ensure that we empower the youth," she added.

The three-day event held 75 sessions, 233 speakers, 79 knowledge partners, 68 artists, 15 activations and 18 sponsors and was organised by the Arab Youth Centre, The American University of Sharjah (AUS), and New York University Abu Dhabi’s Green House.

It offered youth an opportunity to discuss and support inter-governmental climate change policies and promote change at the local and international levels.

The event was in line with the work of the global network of children and youth activists and non-governmental organisations shaping international climate change policies and formally representing youth concerns in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes.

The 18th edition of the Conference of Youth, which took place at the EXPO City Dubai from November 26-28, was held in the lead-up to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), which is taking place from November 30 to December 12 at EXPO City Dubai.