LocationsCOP29 Highlights: Asia-Pacific Youth Shaping Climate Governance and Action on the Global Stage
December 16, 2024
From the busy halls of the 29th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, five youth delegates from Asia and the Pacific stood as trailblazers, amplifying their voices to reshape climate governance.
Representing the multistakeholder Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP), with support from Sweden, they championed climate justice, equitable energy transitions, and Indigenous rights—all while demanding accountability, meaningful inclusion, and an end to youth tokenism.
Guided by the outcomes of the Global Stocktake and the roadmap to keep 1.5°C within reach, these five changemakers showcase the power of youth leadership to drive ambitious, actionable solutions toward a sustainable, inclusive future.
“When it comes to shaping policies, securing funding, or influencing global decisions that determine our future, youth voices are often marginalized and tokenistic. We demand real seats at the table, accountability from organizations, and an end to youth-washing. Our generation is not just ready to lead—we are already leading. It is time the system recognizes us as partners, not props, in shaping a sustainable future.”
At COP29, Sher Shah Khan Bangash pushed forward this call to action. As part of the Just Energy Transition Working Group under YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC, his mission was clear: to amplify the voices of Global South youth, especially from South Asia, a region particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. He delved into key challenges and developments surrounding Loss and Damage Funds, the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQEG), and NDC 3.0.
Sher Shah is the Founder of Skillistan, Pakistan, a platform empowering youth with digital and green skills. As a committed advocate for climate education and the SDGs, he serves in multiple leadership roles, including as the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Pakistan lead organizer, Movers Envoy, YECAP Fellow, and One Million Leaders Asia (OMLAS) Fellow. With over 200 workshops delivered to train more than 10,000 young people regionwide, Sher Shah continues to be a force for youth empowerment and meaningful climate action.
"Young people need a space to narrate and bring our stories to the policymaking table—a space for us to inform and intervene in climate policies and discussions which will impact our future. My participation in COP was an eye-opener that Indigenous youth could be empowered, with our voices heard and considered in international discussions."
Facilitated by the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration for Asia and the Pacific (RCC-AP) and YECAP through the Asia Indigenous Youth Platform (AIYP) under the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), and supported by Sweden, Satej Chakma advocated for a leading role for Indigenous youth at COP29. During the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) Annual Gathering there, he pushed for reshaping climate policies and narratives while defending the rights of Indigenous communities. Through his journalism and advocacy, Satej brought the lived realities of Indigenous peoples to the global stage.
As a dedicated human rights activist and climate journalist from Bangladesh, Satej amplifies the voices of Indigenous communities through storytelling and media. In his role, Executive Editor of Indigenous Peoples’ News, Bangladesh (IPNEWS BD), he sheds light on the environmental and social challenges faced by Indigenous peoples. Currently serving as a council member of the Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network (AYIPN), Satej remains committed to elevating Indigenous voices across Asia.
“We, the youth, are not just the leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today. Our future is being decided here, and we cannot afford to wait for empty promises. The time for action is now, and we demand a seat at the table where decisions are being made. We need a future where the voices of the most vulnerable, especially children and youth, of the Global South are heard and acted upon.”
Dikshya Subedi urged the inclusion of Global South youth in climate justice and decision-making processes at COP29—not as a symbolic gesture, but as a step toward ensuring solutions that are equitable, actionable, and future-proof. Her words inspired the global community to take decisive action to address the climate crisis.
As a climate justice activist, sustainable food advocate, and member of YECAP’s Regional Youth Parliament on Climate Action (RYPCA) from Nepal, Dikshya brings years of experience in global climate advocacy and policy to the table. She has empowered more than 1,000 children and youth to amplify their voices as part of her LCOY Nepal’s Focal Point journey since 2022. She is also the Founder of Youth Action for Sustainable and Eco Nepal (YASEN), guided by the mission of “Empowering the younger generation to create a sustainable future.”
“Next year, COP30 will be a pivotal milestone to assess countries' five-year efforts, evaluate progress, and shape the next five years, including scenario development for 2035 in alignment with 2050 Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies. As key climate stakeholders, I believe youth bring fresh perspectives and demand transparency, holding a strong presence at COP. Ensuring equal representation for all stakeholders on one stage eliminates hierarchy, and I felt decision-makers were more willing to listen to us.”
With a proven track record in youth representation at the ESCAP 79th session of the Commission and the Climate Negotiators Training Programme by UNFCCC and YECAP, Sainsanaa Amarsanaa stepped into COP29 as part of the Presidency Youth Climate Champion (PYCC)’s Youth Delegates Program through YECAP. She leveraged her expertise in climate negotiation processes and energy transition and collaborated with fellow Mongolian youth delegates to draft and present an open letter advocating for stronger national climate action.
Sainsanaa is a sustainability advocate with experience in environmental and renewable energy engineering. Passionate about advancing her country’s energy transition, she is researching solar PV integration in public schools to inspire sustainable solutions for future generations. For her, COP is not just a platform for discussion—it is a place where young leaders are equipped to drive long-term global climate solutions.
“The discussion of having an ASEAN-level climate conference was made possible by our COP participation. Youth have pioneered innovative solutions to address climate challenges in their countries, but they cannot tackle this climate crisis alone. To truly elevate youth participation, build climate resilience, and achieve a just transition, we need to work together across generations, sectors, and communities.”
Despite Thai and ASEAN youth being underrepresented in global climate negotiations, even as their countries remain some of the most vulnerable to climate change, Jeta Jiranuntarat stepped forward at COP29 to bridge this gap. He created opportunities for Thai and ASEAN youth to showcase their experiences and potential, laying the groundwork for more inclusive participation. Partnering with like-minded young leaders, Jeta helped establish the Thailand Youth Climate Council (TYCC)—a platform for Thai youth to actively contribute to climate and environmental governance both locally and globally.
As Policy Coordinator for the Global Youth Biodiversity Network in Thailand (GYBN Thailand) and Member of YECAP’s Asia-Pacific Youth Advisory Group for Environmental and Climate Justice, Jeta advocates for youth engagement in environmental policy. Through his leadership at LCOY, he co-drafted a youth environmental action agenda with UNDP and championed youth representation at COP. Beyond policymaking, Jeta empowers vulnerable communities by educating Indigenous youth on climate challenges and organizing resilience-building workshops across the Philippines and Australia.
For these young climate leaders, COP29 was not only an opportunity to continue their capacity building on all fronts but also a significant push on a larger scale for meaningful youth inclusion in climate negotiations, policymaking, and implementation to raise climate ambition.
Looking ahead, it is essential to support meaningful youth engagement, education, and youth-led initiatives with young people as equal partners, while creating empowering environments to ensure their voices are integrated into climate policies and decisions at all levels.
Youth empowerment in climate governance should be promoted both as a means and an end to achieve transformational sustainable development outcomes. It is urgent to act now for youth, and more importantly, with youth in the driving seat.
The Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) was established by UNDP in Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with UNFCCC RCC Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF South Asia, the British Council, YOUNGO, Movers Programme, and 2030 Youth Force in response to young people across the region calling for urgent action on the climate agenda. Through YECAP and with the support from Sweden, over 30,000 young people in Asia and the Pacific have advanced their climate journeys to meaningfully engage in action, advocacy, and acceleration of the movement towards a just climate future.
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