Youth leaders from across the capital gathered at the Military Museum on Sunday for the “Dhaka Youth Climate Forum”- a platform to reflect on UN Climate Conference COP29 outcomes and set ambitious goals for COP30.
Jointly organized by Nature Conservation Management (NACOM) and YouthNet Global, with support from the Climate Ambition Support Alliance (CASA) and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the forum underscored the vital role of youth in addressing the climate crisis and building a just and resilient Bangladesh.
A.K.M. Sohel, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, attended as the chief guest. Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, First Secretary (Environment & Climate) at the Embassy of Sweden, and Md. Ziaul Haque, Director of Air Quality at the Department of Environment, also joined as special guests, reaffirming the importance of youth in shaping national and international climate policies.
Dr. S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan, Executive Director of NACOM, chaired the session and highlighted the urgency of integrating youth perspectives into climate governance.
In his keynote speech, Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, expressed frustration over the lack of substantial progress at COP29. He stressed the need for immediate and bold actions to address the climate crisis, stating, “Youth must be at the forefront of climate negotiations to ensure policies address the urgency of the climate crisis.”
About 200 youth participants reviewed key outcomes from the COP29, including progress on climate financing and adaptation, while demanding stronger commitments for COP30. The forum concluded with a passionate call to action, urging young people to lead climate advocacy efforts and policy reforms.
Youth leader Sujana Zahir Rafa presented the “Youth Declaration: A Call for a Just, Inclusive, and Resilient Bangladesh”.
The youth declaration outlines critical demands to address the climate crisis, including the establishment of a grassroots-driven and inclusive Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) process, the adoption of science-based targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C, and the fulfillment of financial commitments by developed nations to address loss and damage.
It also emphasizes the need for a just transition through education and reskilling for a low-carbon economy and calls for formal mechanisms to ensure meaningful youth participation in policymaking.
“We are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the change agents of today,” declared Rafa, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring climate justice and resilience in Bangladesh.
