GCA Youth Leadership For Adaptation Action Exchange Dinner
From Baku to Belém
On the sidelines of COP29, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) will host the Youth Leadership for Adaptation Action Exchange – From Baku to Belem. This event will bring together government leaders and young people to discuss fostering youth leadership, creating adaptation jobs, and mainstreaming climate adaptation education and training.
Event description
GCA is leading youth participation in climate adaptation decision-making. In 2024, the GCA Youth Leadership and Education program organized consultations with governments and youth on youth engagement with National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) at NAP Expo 2024 in Dhaka and SB60 in Bonn, to develop the Guide on Youth Engagement with NAPs.
At COP28 in Dubai, GCA CEO Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen announced the Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day. The Day, held on 12th October 2024, was the largest annual youth adaptation event, with over 360 “Lighthouse Events” in 70 countries. Activities included the “My Climate Adaptation Solution” video competition with over 200 entries and a petition calling on global leaders to double down on adaptation finance. The Day was preceded by six Youth Adaptation Forums with over 13,500 participants to spotlight youth priorities for policy engagement and adaptation action.
In the lead-up to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Youth Leadership and Education program will present plans to expand the Youth Adaptation Network, including information on the Youth Adaptation Forums 2025 and presenting how young people can engage with Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day 2025. This includes launching partnerships with youth networks, encouraging “Lighthouse Events”, and introducing rules and submissions for the “My Climate Adaptation Solution” video competition. The program will also present future plans for the “Guide on Youth Engagement with National Adaptation Plans”.
OBJECTIVES
- Explore key achievements in youth climate adaptation in 2024, including the Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day, the chapter on youth voices from Small Island Developing States in State and Trends 2024, and the Youth Academy on Climate Adaptation and Leadership.
- Define the way forward for 2025, including the announcement of the Youth Advisory Panel 2025, the Guide on Youth Engagement with NAPs, and information on how to get involved with the Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day 2025.
- Bring together young leaders attending COP29 to celebrate youth leadership in climate adaptation