Recommendations from climate-vulnerable communities call for accessible Loss and Damage finance, youth representation, land rights and green employment opportunities.
Young representatives have called for direct and meaningful participation of young people in policymaking to address the impacts of climate change, while demanding new, additional and predictable grant-based financing for climate-vulnerable countries and marginalised communities.
The demands were presented at the closing session of the first day of LCOY Bangladesh 2026 at the National Parliament House on Wednesday (30 september).
The event was organised ahead of the upcoming COP31 with the aim of bringing Bangladesh’s younger generation into policymaking processes to address the global climate crisis.
Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Although it contributes less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, marginalised communities are among those most severely affected by climate-related crises including cyclones, floods, salinity, river erosion and displacement.
Against this backdrop, the conference recommendations were developed with a focus on climate justice, youth rights and young people’s participation in decision-making.
BRIGHTERS jointly organised the event as a partner of LCOY Bangladesh 2026 and host of the first day’s closing session. The recommendations were prepared through dialogues and focus group discussions with young people and marginalised communities in nine climate-vulnerable areas of the country, including the Sundarbans, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the haor areas of Sunamganj, coastal islands, char areas and areas inhabited by climate migrants.
Speaking as chief guest, Jaharat Adib Chowdhury, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs, said conventional discussions alone were not enough to address the impacts of climate change. Direct participation by young people in policymaking and effective action were essential, he said.
He urged young people from Bangladesh to play a strong representative role at global forums.
Mir Mohammad Ali of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and Fariha Sultana Omi, chair of BRIGHTERS and contact point for LCOY Bangladesh 2026, were present as special guests.
Speakers stressed the importance of climate justice, Loss and Damage and protecting youth rights. They also highlighted the need for young people to work together to address climate risks.
Representatives of young people called for new, additional and predictable grant-based financing for climate-vulnerable countries and marginalised communities. They also called for direct access to such financing for local youth and community organisations.
They further demanded adequate and accessible Loss and Damage financing, guarantees of safe housing, land rights and livelihoods for people displaced by climate change, and an effective global legal framework to facilitate a shift away from fossil fuels.
They also called for investment in green skills and employment and for the formal participation of young people and marginalised communities in climate governance and adaptation planning.
LCOY Bangladesh 2026 is being held on September 30 and October 1 under the hosting of BRIGHTERS Foundation.
