The 18th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18) is set to commence on Sunday, November 26, at Expo Dubai. The event, hosted by the Arab Youth Centre in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the Green House Research Center affiliated with New York University Abu Dhabi, will serve as a global platform for climate movements.
The conference aims to bring together Arab youth, researchers, and enthusiasts to discuss crucial topics such as international climate policies. Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development and Deputy Chair of the Arab Youth Centre, emphasized the pivotal role of youth in addressing global climate challenges. Hosting COY18 provides an opportunity to empower youth during the upcoming COP28 conference and ensure their effective participation in decision-making processes.
Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, highlighted the country's concrete steps to enhance global sustainability efforts and mitigate climate change effects. The COY18 conference is seen as an opportunity to shape the destiny of climate change, rallying international efforts and supporting the plan for global climate action.
This edition of the Youth Conference focuses on youth contributions across three main areas: policy documents, capacity building, and skill-building workshops. COY18 is expected to attract over 1,000 participants engaging in interactive events, workshops, discussions, and round-table sessions.
The conference reflects the UAE's commitment to supporting youth voices and ideas, preparing them for active participation in the COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai at the end of November. It provides an opportunity for dedicated youth to influence government climate policies at the local, regional, and international levels. The youth arm of COY18, along with hosting entities, is dedicated to preparing global youth for active participation in climate discussions during the conference, contributing significantly to its main verticals and the official conference output document, the Global Youth Statement (GYS).