The Global Youth Climate Summit 2025 will take place from 2-5 April at UFMG, Brazil. The event will host 200 young climate leaders from 39 countries, alongside 300 virtual participants. It aims to empower youth perspectives in climate discussions, produce the Belo Horizonte Youth Climate Declaration, and award grants for climate action projects. This summit is organized by GYLC with support from various partners, highlighting youth leadership’s importance in the climate crisis.
From April 2 to 5, 2023, the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) will host the Global Youth Climate Summit 2025. This gathering will convene 200 young climate leaders from 39 nations, with an additional 300 participants joining virtually. The summit, organized by the Global Youth Leadership Center (GYLC) in collaboration with UFMG, is expected to be a pivotal event focusing on climate issues affecting the Global South.
The summit comes at a crucial time as it allows youth from climate-vulnerable regions to convey their unique insights and innovative solutions regarding the climate crisis. Ejaj Ahmad, CEO of GYLC, emphasized that “This summit represents a critical opportunity for these voices to shape the global climate agenda ahead of COP30.”
High-profile participants will include government officials, academia, corporate leaders, and climate activists. The Vice Governor of Minas Gerais, Professor Mateus Simões de Almeida, along with representatives from Brazil’s national government, will attend the summit alongside executives from prominent organizations such as CEMIG and FIEMG. Academic insights will feature from UFMG’s leadership, while former NASA scientist Peter Fiekowsky will offer scientific perspectives.
Youth activists will prominently engage during the summit, with Indigenous activist Rayane Xipaya providing vital insights into forest conservation and the rights of Indigenous peoples. Delegates from various countries, including Japan and South Africa, will share their experiences and proposals for climate solutions.
The summit aims to produce actionable results, culminating in the Belo Horizonte Youth Climate Declaration. This document will convey the youth perspectives to COP30 negotiations in Belém scheduled for November. Additionally, ten outstanding youth climate champions will receive $1,000 grants to initiate climate-focused projects within their communities.
The Global Youth Climate Summit is a result of robust partnerships. UFMG’s Knowledge Center for Biodiversity and the Institute of Biological Sciences act as knowledge partners, with sponsorship from companies like CEMIG and FIEMG. GYLC has a legacy of 16 years in youth leadership training, equipping young leaders with skills and resources to address pressing climate issues.
With the accelerating climate crisis, the voices of frontline communities are paramount. The summit’s proceedings in Belo Horizonte will exemplify the energy and ingenuity that youth leaders will bring to the COP30 negotiations later this year.
The Global Youth Climate Summit 2025 represents a significant convergence of youth leaders focused on addressing pressing climate challenges. It provides a vital platform for underrepresented voices from climate-vulnerable regions, enabling them to shape global climate policies ahead of COP30. With strategic partnerships and a commitment to actionable outcomes, the summit underscores youth leadership’s critical role in combatting the climate crisis.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
