Dubai, UAE – The United Arab Emirates’ Youth Climate Delegates have concluded their first official meeting at Dubai Youth Hub. This meeting marked a significant milestone for youth involvement in COP28, as key stakeholders in the UAE's youth and climate space came together to collaborate with the delegates and engage them in activities leading up to COP28.

The delegates engaged in extensive discussions on practical solutions to engage and involve youth in the climate conversation, and planned their activities for the road ahead, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including COP28, Youth Climate Champion team, the Arab Youth Center , and the Federal Youth Authority. Each entity complemented the other, covering a spectrum of activities designed to maximize youth involvement and leadership in climate change on the local, regional, and international levels leading up to 18th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18) and the 18th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP28).

The Ministry of Culture and Youth, in collaboration with the Office of the UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change, launched the first cohort of the UAE Youth Climate Delegates Program in mid-March 2023. This program, targeting youth in the UAE, aims to ensure the inclusion of youth voices in climate change processes, build the capabilities of youth through awareness and capacity building, empower them to take actionable steps towards climate action, and showcase the UAE's youth empowerment model at COP28.

The program brings together ten participants from six different nationalities, who are all passionate and active in climate change advocacy. The delegates, namely Hoor Ahli, Lindani Zungu, Karishma Asarpota, Malak Abdullah, Mohamed Eissa, Lateefa Almansoori, Manal Nadeem, Kenza El Gamra, Gheed Abdul Jabbar, and Amal Al Gergawi, were selected based on their expertise in the field and demonstrated commitment to climate action.

At COP28, the UAE delegates will be joined by 100 international delegates as part of the International Youth Climate Delegate Program, a program which was recently launched by the incoming COP28 Presidency. This program is designed to empower UAE youth to become leaders in the field of climate change, and this meeting marks an important step forward in achieving this goal.

The program runs from March to December 2023, during which the youth delegates will participate in and provide input into the negotiation process to set priorities for the climate agenda in the 18th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18) and COP28. They will undergo capacity building and training to build clear policy targets for COP and gather perspectives, while bringing learning back to their wider communities in their countries. Overall, the program aims to provide a platform for youth to engage in climate action and empowering them to become leaders in the fight against climate change.

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About COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30–December 12, 2023. The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake — a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a “leave no one behind” approach to inclusive climate action.

About YCC:

The Youth Climate Champion (YCC), is uniquely positioned to serve as the missing bridge between youth, governments, the Presidency and the UNFCCC, and is responsible for mainstreaming youth participation and voice in the COP28 process and mobilizing substantive policy and programmatic outcomes for young people in multiple areas.

The Youth Climate Champion aims to amplify the climate action and influence of young people everywhere through four pillars collectively known as PAVE:

  • PARTICIPATION: Advocate for and enhance the participation of youth within the Presidency and UNFCCC process, and increase access to the COP, especially for youth from Least Developed Countries and Small Island States
  • ACTION: Advance and celebrate youth-led climate action and ambition, particularly in the UAE and Arab region
  • VOICE: Relay and amplify the voice and policy positions of youth within the Presidency and UNFCCC
  • EDUCATION: Empower youth to play an elevated role in climate decision-making through awareness and education opportunities