The 1st Conference of Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum was held with great success at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens on 1-2 November 2024, bringing together young professionals from Greece and Southeast European countries with the aim of joint action and promoting climate diplomacy in the region.
The Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum operates under the auspices of the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy, which supports the Forum’s efforts in education and policy development on climate change at national, regional, and international levels.
On the first day, distinguished speakers presented their views on the importance of climate diplomacy. Among them was Professor Emmanuella Doussis, UNESCO Chairholder on Climate Diplomacy, who notably stated, “The time has come to turn problems into opportunities by bringing the new generation to the negotiation table”.
Support was also voiced by Dr. Giannis Manolis from the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Dimitris Kollias from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Ms. Lydia Karras from the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture, and Mr. Sokratis Vlachakis from UNICEF Greece.
Rania Papadopoulou, Chair of Y.C.D.F., emphasized the need for the voices of young people to be heard in decision-making.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the External Relations Section of the European Economic and Social Committee, who highlighted the crucial role of youth in international climate action. “We need your generation, the young generation, in the fight against the climate crisis,” Mr. Dimitriadis stressed, underscoring the power of collective effort for a better future.
On the second day, the first annual strategic action plan was formulated to strengthen youth climate diplomacy in Southeast Europe.
The conference concluded successfully, with a commitment to further promoting climate diplomacy toward a sustainable and green future.
