The Arab Youth Council for Climate Change (AYCCC), affiliated with the Arab Youth Center, in partnership with the Youth Climate Pioneer Team for COP28, launched the report "Empowering Youth Voices in Arab Climate Policy."
The report highlights the active contribution of Arab youth to climate action, identifying the urgent gaps in their interaction with climate policies. It also contributes to enhancing the effective participation of Arab youth and establishing a comprehensive platform for joint work among youth specialists in the climate change file, in direct coordination with decision-makers across the Arab region.
First educational unit
The council also launched the first educational unit in a series of climate initiatives titled "Capacity Building Model: Understanding and Using the Policy Report," aimed at enhancing the skills of young people in engaging with climate policies.
The first unit presents proposals to increase youth participation in climate policies in Arab countries and to enhance their role in climate action, with a particular focus on the context of "Youth Climate Conferences."
Qualifying young people
Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al-Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Arab Youth Center, stated that the launch of this report opens new horizons for enhancing Arab youth's engagement with climate policies and contributes to building Arab youth leadership capable of leading climate action in the future and implementing more impactful climate initiatives in communities.
He added that through the AYCCC, efforts are being made to equip young people with the essential skills to face regional climate challenges and ensure their effective participation and influence in global discussions on various climate policies and issues.
For her part, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Community Development and Youth Climate Champion for COP28, affirmed that Arab youth are at the heart of the region's future, distinguished by their energy and innovation in addressing the climate challenges facing the world today.
Unleashing the potential of youth
She pointed out that with our region hosting two consecutive COP28 and COP29 conferences, it was necessary to direct their energies and capabilities towards achieving tangible results in the climate agenda. This report is a pivotal step in addressing the challenges facing youth and provides a clear framework for unleashing their immense potential in collaboration with leading regional entities. We are confident that the voices of youth will contribute to bringing about real and impactful change in their communities.
For his part, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports and Chairman of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports, affirmed that the comprehensive framework presented in the report reflects an integrated strategic system among various sectors and embodies a genuine commitment to involving youth in developing climate solutions that address the specific challenges and opportunities in our Arab region.
Strengthening efforts among generations
He pointed out the importance of enhancing intergenerational efforts to achieve common climate goals, noting that the establishment of permanent youth councils within climate bodies represents significant value in achieving this goal, as it ensures continuous interaction and contributes to the development of mentorship programs between generations to enhance cooperation and knowledge exchange between decision-makers and youth active in the field of climate.
For her part, Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector at the Arab League, stated that the strategic framework adopted by the report can open up significant possibilities in enhancing Arab youth's engagement with climate policies by identifying key areas for development and taking practical steps towards implementable solutions, which can achieve a qualitative leap in youth participation in climate policies across the entire region.
The Arab Youth Center continues its ongoing work to empower future generations and activate the participation of Arab youth in environmental issues, particularly through the AYCCC initiative, in collaboration with decision-makers and its strategic partners in the region. This establishes a system where the voices of youth are an essential part of shaping and implementing regional and global directions towards sustainable climate action.
