COP28 set a new benchmark for youth inclusion in climate policy. COP28’s decision to institutionalise the Presidency Youth Climate Champion (YCC) role marks a vital step in promoting intergenerational equity and strengthening youth voices in climate policy. The YCC role will enhance youth representation and active participation in future COPs, recognizing the potential of youth-led initiatives, particularly those rooted in cultural heritage, as transformative drivers of climate action.

Young cultural advocates actively participated in COP28, supported by the Siam Society/Southeast Asian Heritage Alliance (SEACHA) and the Climate Heritage Network (CHN). Through grassroots support, five youth from ASEAN countries, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Laos, were able to attend COP28. National Trust for the Cayman Islands helped bring young Caymanians to COP28, empowering them to learn, connect, and amplify their voices. Their message emphasised the value of cultural heritage and ancestral wisdom as essential foundations for climate resilience. SEACHA delegates highlighted Southeast Asia’s rich traditional knowledge, advocating for its inclusion in climate agendas to honour sustainable, nature-based ways of living.

These youth advocates also highlighted the importance of climate justice, bringing attention to the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities and marginalised groups, including language barriers and the need for inclusive climate policies. Leading up to COP28, youth from across ASEAN nations, supported by SEACHA and the Siam Society, showcased their leadership at the event Cultural Wisdom for Climate Action: The Southeast Asian Contribution, held in early 2023.

Read more about the Presidency Youth Climate Champion Decision.