African Youth Call on Global Leaders to Embed Youth in National Adaptation Plans and Deliver on Adaptation Finance Commitments
L
usaka, Zambia, 12 August 2025 – On the sidelines of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), in partnership with Inclusive Education for Sustainable Development, the University of Zambia, and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, convened the Pan-African Youth Adaptation Forum, bringing together young leaders from Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, and all 10 provinces of Zambia.
The Forum culminated in the presentation of a Youth Communiqué to Hon. Mike Mposha, Minister of Green Economy and Environment of Zambia, outlining seven key priorities for urgent action on climate adaptation.
In their statement, youth leaders urged decision-makers to work “side by side” with young people to build a climate-resilient planet where no one is left behind. Their priorities include:
1. Strong Adaptation Policies – Ensure every country develops and implements inclusive and robust NAPs, embedding youth participation at every stage, and strengthening government accountability.
2. Adaptation Finance – Fulfil all international finance commitments to the most vulnerable nations, allocate national budget shares to adaptation, fund youth-led initiatives directly, and incentivize private sector support through enforceable measures.
3. Adaptation Literacy and Education – Integrate climate adaptation into school curricula and establish community adaptation clubs.
4. Green Jobs & Entrepreneurship – Create jobs in climate-resilient sectors and support youth-led green enterprises with training and market access.
5. Youth Participation & Intergenerational Partnerships – Ensure meaningful engagement of all youth, including those with disabilities, in decision-making at all levels.
6. Awareness & Cultural Engagement – Raise awareness through traditional and digital media, cultural activities and grassroots youth forums.
7. Youth Empowerment & International Solidarity – Foster peer-to-peer learning, Pan-African exchanges and mentorship networks.
“I take this Youth Communiqué with me to global platforms because young people represent a vital and indispensable part of our adaptation journey,” said Minister Mposha. “If we are to secure a climate-resilient future, adaptation solutions must be designed with youth, for youth, and by youth. Your voices will be heard beyond Lusaka.”
The full Youth Communiqué is available [here].
Recognition for GCA’s Leadership in Youth Empowerment
During the Forum, Minister Mposha presented an Award to the Global Center on Adaptation for its unwavering commitment to championing youth leadership in climate adaptation across Africa.
Receiving the award, Adriana Valenzuela, GCA’s Youth Leadership and Education Lead said:
“This award belongs to every young leader in Africa who is working tirelessly to turn ideas into real adaptation solutions. At GCA, we believe that when youth lead, communities thrive — and we will continue to stand with them, ensuring their innovations are scaled and supported.”
Notes to Editors
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent. Founded in 2018, GCA is the first international organization to maintain dual headquarters in both the Global North in Rotterdam and in the Global South in Nairobi – underscoring the equal partnership between regions and the conviction that climate adaptation solutions must be co-designed and co-owned. Its regional hubs in Abidjan, Dhaka and Beijing, leverage local expertise to pilot and scale context-specific approaches. Together these centers ensure a continuous, two-way exchange of knowledge and best practices that empowers communities and drives resilient and inclusive growth worldwide.
