Arab Youth4COP COP28 Outcomes
Executive Summary
The Arab Youth4COP initiative at COP28 represented a groundbreaking effort to integrate young Arab climate leaders into global climate discussions. Ten fellows from various Arab countries were selected based on their unique interests and expertise in climate issues. The program focused on equipping these young leaders with the necessary skills and platforms to effectively advocate for their regional climate concerns and to influence global climate policy. Their participation in COP28 resulted in significant contributions to both regional and international climate dialogues, setting a precedent for future youth involvement in climate governance.
- Customized Activities and Goals
- • Activities were tailored to each fellow's specific interests and expertise areas, ranging from climate policy negotiations to advocacy for heightened climate commitments.
- • The program aimed to amplify the Arab youth voice in global climate discussions, ensuring their perspectives and solutions were considered in international climate agreements.
- Capacity Building
- • PreCOP28 fellows underwent comprehensive capacity-building sessions that covered climate policy, negotiation techniques, and advocacy strategies. These sessions were designed to prepare the fellows for effective participation in COP28, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions and advocacy efforts.
- Engagement and Opportunities
- • Fellows engaged in various speaking opportunities at COP28, including side events organized by Arab Youth4COP and its partners, as well as media interviews.
- • These platforms allowed the fellows to voice their perspectives, share their experiences, and influence a broader audience, including policy-makers and international stakeholders
Impact and Achievements of Arab Youth4COP at COP28
- Some Fellows played a significant role in various negotiation forums, bringing forward the concerns and priorities of the Arab region. Their insights, especially on issues like climate adaptation, renewable energy, and water security, influenced the framing of discussions.
- Some fellows were actively involved in drafting position papers and proposing amendments to policy documents, ensuring that the unique environmental challenges and needs of the Arab world were adequately represented.
- Fellows led advocacy campaigns during COP28, pushing for higher climate ambition among Arab nations. Their efforts contributed to a heightened awareness of the need for robust climate action plans in the region.
- The fellows' advocacy led to increased support for regional climate initiatives, fostering a collaborative approach to tackling climate issues in the Arab world.
- Bringing Diverse Perspectives By sharing their experiences and challenges, the fellows enriched the global climate dialogue with diverse perspectives from the Arab region. This was particularly impactful in highlighting the unique climate vulnerabilities and solutions pertinent to the Arab world.
- The fellows' engagement at COP28 facilitated new partnerships and collaborations, bridging gaps between the Arab region and other global stakeholders in climate action.
- Media Appearances and Interviews through various media appearances and interviews, the fellows raised public awareness about climate issues, reaching a wider audience beyond the Arab states citizens following COP28.
- The fellows effectively used social media to document their COP28 experiences and share insights, further amplifying their impact and reach, this was through the takeover of the Arab Youth4COP social media platforms as well as daily videos updates of the days of each of them.
- The success and impact of the Arab Youth4COP fellows at COP28 have set a strong precedent for the inclusion and active participation of Arab youth in future climate conferences.
- The visibility and achievements of the fellows have inspired other young people in the Arab region to engage in climate action and advocacy, cultivating a new generation of climate leaders.
Future Directions Post-COP28
- Ongoing support for the current cohort of fellows will be provided, including further training and engagement opportunities.
- The initiative aims to expand its reach, including more young leaders in future COP events and continuing advocacy for impactful climate policies within the Arab region and worldwide. Policies that take climate justice, human rights, and science at the core of its decisions.
- Arab Youth4COP is poised to grow as a leading voice in climate civil society, fostering a new generation of climate leaders in the Arab world.