#Youth4Adaptation at COP30: Launching the Global Youth Recommendations on NDCs & NAPs 

Side Event at COP30 Pavillion

Background

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) marks a double milestone at COP30 in Belém, Brazil — the launch of the Global Youth Recommendations on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and the celebration of five years of the Youth Leadership and Education Program. Over the past five years, this flagship program has empowered thousands of young people to lead and accelerate adaptation action. Through the Youth Adaptation Network (YAN) and its Youth Forums, GCA has mobilized youth in over 140 countries, creating a vibrant movement for adaptation. 
The Youth Adaptation Academy, through a Training-of-Trainers model, has equipped young leaders from 50 countries across four continents with the knowledge and skills to implement local adaptation solutions. Intergenerational dialogues have connected youth and policymakers, while the Youth Adaptation Action Day 2025 mobilized young people from 90 countries to shape recommendations on NDCs and NAPs. At COP30, this legacy continues — bringing the voices and priorities of young people to global leaders, calling for urgent action to integrate youth perspectives in adaptation education, finance, and implementation. 

Event Description
This 60-minute event on Education Day at COP30 will bring together decision-makers, ministers, young leaders, government representatives, development partners, donors, educators, and UNFCCC constituencies to amplify youth leadership in accelerating adaptation action. The event will launch the Global Youth Recommendations on NDCs and NAPs, reflecting the outcomes of youth consultations in 90 countries, and celebrate five years of the GCA Youth Leadership and Education Program. It will showcase how young people are contributing to the implementation of the Paris Agreement through education, innovation, and policy engagement, while inspiring global leaders to act on youth-driven recommendations for a climate-resilient future. 

Contact Details      
For more information, please contact:    
Adriana Valenzuela, Youth Leadership and Education Thematic Lead,
at youth@gca.org    
www.gca.org