UNICEF Maldives holds mock COP for the youth

UNICEF Maldives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, and the President’s Office, has held the fourth edition of the ‘Youth Track to COP29’ – a mock COP negotiation – for the youth in the Maldives.

The event, aimed at bringing together young people and experts to collectively discuss climate-related issues and solutions, saw the participation of 26 youths from across the nation.

As per UNICEF Maldives, the event featured mock COP negotiations, technical sessions on climate science, development and presentation of recommendations by the young people, as well as support to two young people to represent the children and young people of Maldives at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Commenting on the event, Environment Minister Thorif Ibrahim said the ‘Youth Track to COP29’ is not just an event, but a powerful platform where the government and UNCEF UNICEF unite to amplify the voices of youth, whose perspectives on climate change are both unique and indispensable. 

“Although children and young people from countries like the Maldives contribute the least to climate change, they are the ones bearing its heaviest burdens, facing growing threats to their health, education, safety, and future,” he stressed, adding the platform provides an opportunity to empower these young leaders to not only be heard but to take charge in developing and driving the solutions that will confront this urgent climate crisis head-on.

UNICEF Representative to Maldives Dr. Edward Addai, who spoke at the event, also underscored the importanceof nurturing and leveraging the unique perspectives of young people in climate policy and action and their potential to generate and implement climate solutions.

He encouraged the participants to become ‘Climate Guardians’ while affirming UNICEF’s commitment to equip them with the knowledge, skills and platforms to help them take action that contribute to greener, more climate-resilient services and infrastructure.