Youth climate conference highlights role of younger generation  

The Youth Climate Action Conference 2024 highlighted the pivotal role that young people play in addressing the worsening climate conditions threatening humankind. 
Organised by Zero Waste Laos, with support from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Lao PDR, Save the Children Laos, and Norwegian People’s Aid, the conference took place in Vientiane on December 13-14. It brought together 280 participants, mostly young Lao leaders, to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions to tackle the climate crisis. 
Addressing the event, the Director of the Youth Propaganda Department of the Lao Youth Union, Mr Souliya Keophilavong, said the meeting was significant for protecting the environment, particularly in addressing climate change in Lao PDR. 
The event featured speeches and interactive panel discussions where young leaders from Zero Waste Laos, the Justice Project, and Save the Children shared their experiences and led discussions on climate change solutions. Participants learned how Zero Waste Laos is inspiring change across the country. Over 1,200 young people in nine provinces have already taken action, planting more than 4,500 trees.
During the event, stakeholder representatives from the Department of Climate Change, the EU Delegation to Lao PDR, the private sector, and NGOs engaged in a dialogue on collaboration and amplifying youth voices. Participants delved deeper into specific topics through breakout sessions that focused on youth-led innovation, climate resilience, environmental communication, youth leadership skills, and the power of art in climate advocacy. 
The event also featured a vibrant marketplace, educational booths, and interactive games to foster knowledge-sharing and encourage action. 
EU Ambassador to Lao PDR, Mark Gallagher, underscored the climate challenges facing the world, including rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and shrinking biodiversity. However, through collective efforts and with young people as key players, the ambassador expressed optimism for a brighter future. 
“As I look at all of you, I don’t see fear. I see hope. I see energy. I see the unstoppable belief that, together, we can turn things around for our planet,” Mr Gallagher said. 
He highlighted the EU’s support for Laos in its journey toward a greener future, noting that through Team Europe, the EU is collaborating on projects aligned with Laos’ green growth goals. 
Earlier this year, the EU launched the TICAF project, which promotes sustainable trade, investment, and connectivity in agriculture and forestry. In addition, with two new initiatives—the Lasting Laos and EMP-ACT projects—the EU is addressing plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy. 
The Country Director of Save the Children International in Laos, Luke Ebbs, reiterated the critical role of young people, who are among the least responsible for the climate crisis but will bear its heaviest burden. 
This campaign aims to raise awareness among children and young people about the profound impacts of climate change on their ability to access their rights, while engaging them in defining agendas, priorities, messages, and activities. These are based on their lived experiences of climate change and their ideas on how to address the crisis. 
“It is so important that we create space for your (young people’s) voices to be heard—you are the hope for the future and the change-makers of today,” Mr Ebbs said. 
“We hope to give them a voice on the regional and world stage by engaging them in COP processes and showing the world that Lao people can contribute to combatting the climate crisis in Laos and beyond.”

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update December 16, 2024)