Abu Dhabi: The Arab Youth Centre, the American University of Sharjah (AUS), and New York University Abu Dhabi’s Green House have been chosen as official co-hosts for the 18th edition of the Conference of Youth (COY18). This youth-led event, scheduled for November in the UAE, precedes the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28). COY18 serves as a platform for climate advocacy, capacity building, and policy development training, preparing young individuals for their participation in international climate discussions and events.
The primary objective of COY18 is to empower and amplify the voices of young people in various global settings. It provides an opportunity for youth to engage in discussions, endorse intergovernmental climate change policies, and drive change at local and international levels.
As an institution committed to sustainability and climate change, we are excited to collaborate with YOUNGO and our co-hosts on this important platform. COY18 will provide a space for young leaders to exchange ideas and develop skills that will empower them to contribute meaningfully to climate action.
Ms. Julia Carlow, Acting Head of Sustainability at AUS, shared.
Mr. Sadeq Jarrar, Executive Director of the Arab Youth Centre, commented that “we are determined to deliver an outstanding COY in the UAE, drawing upon the valuable lessons learnt from previous experiences. With a strong commitment to excellence, we navigate through the preparations, transforming challenges into opportunities. We will be actively engaging with and incorporating the voices and needs of the youth, ensuring their perspectives are integral to our implementation process.”
“Delegates will be given the invaluable opportunity to partake in a series of dynamic workshops focusing on critical areas such as negotiations, youth advocacy and more. These workshops will empower individuals to become effective agents of change in combating the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change” Mr. Khalifa Ballaith, a representative from NYUAD’s youth-led climate think tank Green House, remarked.
Organized by the Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (YOUNGO, UNFCCC), COY18 aligns with the efforts of this global network of young activists and non-governmental organizations, which shape international climate change policies and officially represent youth concerns in UNFCCC processes.