COP29: ‘You have the right to be angry’ Guterres tells youth advocates frustrated by lack of climate action
“You have every right to be angry. I’m angry too,” the UN chief posted on social media on Thursday after meeting with youth representatives and young environmental activists. “I am angry that we are on the brink of a climate cliff and I do not see enough urgency or political will to address the emergency.”
During the opening days of this year COP Already featuring scheduled keynotes, report launches and expert interventions, today’s youth roundtable is something different.
Organized by the Youth Advisory Group and YOUNGO – the official youth community of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – the discussion was a frank departure from the usual proceedings on the UN Secretary-General’s regular schedule.
Rejecting traditional discourse, young eco-activists around the globe have chosen to present their vision for tackling climate change, engaging in frank discussions about the challenges of climate change. they face and even asked the UN chief for advice on how to take important steps to prevent a climate disaster.
An everyday reality
Participants talked about their dreams and fears, and proposed concrete steps to make the world more sustainable and secure for future generations. For many people, climate issues are not abstract concepts but everyday realities that they are determined to confront.
“We discussed the role of youth in sustainable development and the fight against climate change. It is very important to me that Mr. Guterres listens to the opinions of young people and values their ideas,” said Aysel Azizova, a young environmental activist from Azerbaijan. UN News Her subsequent meeting with the Secretary-General was “very productive and inspiring”.
“This dialogue has helped my colleagues and I better understand the causes of climate change and potential solutions. He gave us practical advice,” Ms. Azizova said.
She said that during the discussion, she proposed measures to stimulate investment in green technology and address resource constraints, especially for developing countries. “Mr. Guterres please answer my questions and explain all the details,” she added.
Youth are at the heart of climate action
Lamin Jawo, an 18-year-old children’s rights activist from Gambia, shared his thoughts with UN News: “I took away two important points from his speech, one was about youth participation. The voices of young people, especially marginalized groups such as children and people with disabilities, are essential in climate action.”
Young people’s perspectives are indispensable to climate initiatives, he said, adding: “The second point concerns climate finance. The Secretary-General mentioned that funding is available, so I would say it is accessible to all countries, especially those most vulnerable to climate change.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets with young climate and environmental activists at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Urban resilience, indigenous knowledge
Architect and urban planner HY William Chan, who is also the youngest Lordal City Councilor from Sydney, Australia, also spoke to UN News, highlighting the role of cities on the frontline of climate change.
“The UN Secretary-General’s comments resonated with me, especially because Australia has a deep Indigenous history, emphasizing a harmonious relationship with the environment,” he said.
“The Secretary-General also emphasized the need for global reform, something our generation has been calling for for a long time,” Mr. Chan added. “Current governance systems are failing us, especially vulnerable communities and developing countries on the frontline of the climate emergency. He emphasized the need for a more equitable approach to development and funding – one that ensures resources and policies are accessible and responsive to the hardest-hit communities , including small island nations, especially in my backyard, the Pacific.”
According to Mr. Chan, young people should be decision makers, not just participants in the process. He emphasized that Mr. Guterres’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the collective moral responsibility to pursue systemic change for the benefit of future generations.
‘I believe in you, you can count on me’
In his next message to young people, the UN chief called: “I ask you to be more determined and imaginative in maintaining the pressure to act on climate. We need a strong youth movement – now more than ever.”
The UN Secretary-General reaffirmed his commitment to supporting young climate advocates, calling the climate crisis “the most important battle of our time” and emphasizing “we must win ”.
“I believe in you and you can count on me,” he concluded.
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