Youth Negotiators Academy

Day 1 of the Land Youth Negotiator Programme in person training ahead of the UNCCD #COP16 in Riyadh is complete! ? Our wonderful trainers Christa Castro Varela (from CEMUNE) and Pamela Chasek (Earth Negotiations Bulletin) delivered an engaging and informative day of programming as we offer our LYNP 2024 cohort their final preparations before COP16 begins. ??? The day included: ?? Understanding the #UNCCD process ?? Insights into a day in the life of a negotiator ?? An introduction to preparing a statement ?? Insights into how decisions are made at the UNCCD COP A huge thank you to #iamhuna for hosting us in their space and to Buongiorno Bakehouse for providing delicious food. ?? We can’t wait to come back for Day 2! ?? #COP16 #land #environmentaljustice #riyadh

The annual Climate Youth Negotiator Programme dinner has become a signature fixture of the YNA yearly calendar ?????? This year we hosted the 2024 CYNP celebration dinner at the midpoint of #cop29, convening our dearest supporters, collaborators and friends to reflect on the our successes and achievements. ?? A highlight of the evening was an inspiring programme of speeches, including from the wonderful Patricia Espinosa and a particularly lively rendition of the CYNP dance (if you know, you know ??) We enjoyed speeches from: ?Ms. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano , former Executive secretary of the UNFCCC ? Nathalie FLORES , Vice Chair, Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, UNFCCC ? Ms. Lea Zgheib , Deputy Head of Delegation, Lebanon (CYNP trained negotiator) ?Hon. Professor Biman Chand Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary and Head of Delegation, Fiji (CYNP trained negotiator) ?His Excellency Mr. Max Andonirina Fontaine, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Republic of Madagascar ? Ms. Enkhuun Byambadorj, Young Negotiator, Mongolia (CYNP trained negotiator) ? Mr. Jervon Sands, Young Negotiator, The Bahamas (CYNP trained negotiator We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to each person who attended the dinner, our dedicated team for organising the event, and to each person and organisation who has supported the CYNP from its inception. ?? These pictures offer a small insight into a beautiful evening! #cop29 #cop29azerbaijan #youthnegotiators #youthnegotiatorsacademy

With #COP29 in its final hours of negotiations, we’re reflecting on the past two weeks ?? Although the final text looks to be more than disappointing for Global South and less developed countries, we are incredibly proud of the efforts our cohort of 125 young negotiators have made throughout #COP29 ?? We are hopeful that our work is helping to create a new generation of young negotiators who are dedicated to climate justice, and will continue to fight for better final agreements at future COPs ?? This evening we celebrate our young negotiators ?? #youthnegotiators #youthnegotiatorsacademy #cop29azerbaijan

We achieved the impossible at #COP29 and managed to get the entire YNA team in one place for a group picture! ???? Amongst the chaos of COP, our team enjoyed a moment of joy and togetherness ????? With just two days of #COP29 left to go, we’ll be continuing to support our young negotiators, promote intergenerational collaboration within the negotiation process & advocate for a final text that reflects the needs of those living of the frontlines of the climate crisis. ?? Veena Balakrishnan Marie-Claire Graf Leia Booth Axel Eriksson Avril Chanel Anthony Michael Mwami Bruna Ferreira Freire Charlie Bevis Katherine Buckland Aurélie Villaespesa ?? Luea Ritter Masooma Rahmaty #cop29 #youthnegotiatorsacademy #youthnegotiators #cop29azerbaijan #climatejustice

Today at #COP29 there is a thematic focus on Children + Youth. There is no better time to celebrate the huge impact our cohort climate young negotiators are having already at COP29 Azerbaijan already! ?? ?? As a reminder, this year we have 125 young negotiators from the 2024 CYNP cohort with us here at COP29, representing 63 countries across all 5 UN recognised continents. ?? We are incredibly proud of the impact our young negotiators are creating. Here's a peak into the incredible work they've been doing in Baku ?? A huge thanks to Anthony Michael Mwami for the beautiful pictures! ?? #youthnegotiators #youthnegotiatorsacademy #cop29

Here is what I learned from and about youth leaders at #COP29 today: Youth are at the forefront of climate action, driving change with a passion that demands our attention and, more importantly, our response. ? The climate crisis cannot be solved with words alone—it requires bold, decisive action that harnesses the strength, creativity and determination of young people around the world. At COP29, young negotiators and advocates amplified their voices, pushing for a future where climate policies are not just about addressing the present but also about protecting generations yet to come. They are not merely participants; they are leaders and visionaries today. Their presence at the negotiating table is transforming what it means to build a resilient and inclusive future. These youth advocates made it clear that their engagement is not just a hopeful addition to the discussion but a critical component of achieving equitable climate solutions. For UNICEF, COP29 represents a pivotal moment to turn advocacy into impact. We are not here to simply listen; we are here to work alongside young leaders to break down barriers to participation and empower them with the tools they need to influence policies. From providing meaningful opportunities to participate in the rooms where decisions are made, to training future negotiators and building lasting partnerships, our goal is to ensure youth voices are heard in every decision shaping our climate future. I also learned that many of the young negotiators of the Youth Negotiators Academy Climate Youth Negotiators Programme (CYNP) are now lead negotiators for different UNFCCC workstreams and some already Heads of Delegations. A true inspiration for young people striving to lead change everywhere. Thank you to Youth Negotiators Academy CYNP, Veena, Marie-Claire, Nathalie, Marwah, Beth, Michelle, Enkhuun and Lucky. #COP29 #Climate #COP29Azerbaijan #YouthNegotiator #CYNP #UNFCCC #ForEveryChild

? ??????????????? ???? ?????????? ???? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? Youth Negotiators Academy ! This year, I’m honored to be part of the??????????????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ??????????????'???advanced cohort, building on my experience in last year’s fundamental cohort. Over the past six months, we completed an intensive training program with multiple modules focused on enhancing negotiation skills and deepening our climate knowledge. This culminated in a 3-day in-person training session in Baku, from November 6–9, right before #COP29. During this session, I was thrilled to receive my negotiation #certification from Harvard Law School??. At #COP29, I have the privilege of representing Burkina Faso ???? and negotiating on #agricultural issues ?? as a youth negotiator. The chance to advocate for my country and contribute to global climate action, particularly in agriculture, is both humbling and empowering. A huge thank you to the #CYNP and to everyone supporting young negotiators worldwide ??. Together, we’re making an impact and building a sustainable, inclusive future! ???? #CYNP #YouthNegotiator #COP29 #ClimateAction #Agriculture #BurkinaFaso

#COP29 is starting tomorrow, and we—Germany’s youth delegates to the UNFCCC, Mahmoud Haji, Sara G. and Michelle Benzing —are finalising our preparations to advocate for meaningful climate action and climate justice in Baku, Azerbaijan. Since May, we have been in constant dialogue with German and MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas) climate civil society, listening to needs and amplifying demands. Along the way, we have organized dozens of workshops, talks, and collaborative exchanges, and recently participated at the #GermanLCOY. We are also fortunate to be part of the CYNP community of the Youth Negotiators Academy this year, learning alongside young negotiators from 63 countries. As we are heading into COP, we are eager to hear from you: Is there an issue in the climate conversation you feel deserves more attention? Let us know—we’re open to your perspectives to create value together! _____________________________________ Die COP29 startet morgen und wir - Deutschlands Jugenddelegierte bei der UNFCCC, Mahmoud Haji, Sara Grambs und Michelle Benzing - finalisieren unsere Vorbereitungen, um uns in Baku, Aserbaidschan, für ambitionierte Klimaschutzma?nahmen und Klimagerechtigkeit einzusetzen. Seit Mai stehen wir in st?ndigem Dialog mit der jungen deutschen und der MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas)-Klima-Zivilgesellschaft, h?ren uns die Bedürfnisse an und verst?rken Forderungen. Im Laufe der Zeit haben wir auch viele Workshops, Gespr?che und gemeinsame Austausche organisiert und kürzlich an der deutschen LCOY teilgenommen. Wir haben au?erdem die Ehre, in diesem Jahr Teil von der CYNP-Gemeinschaft der Youth Negotiators Academy zu sein und neben jungen Verhandlungsführer*innen aus 63 L?ndern zu lernen. Da wir morgen in die COP starten, sind wir gespannt, von dir zu h?ren: Gibt es Themen in der Klimadiskussion, die deiner Meinung nach mehr Aufmerksamkeit verdienen? Lass es uns wissen - wir sind offen für deine Perspektiven, um gemeinsam für Klimagerechtigkeit einzustehen!

This year, Kristel Hasani and I will attend #COP29 as part of the #Albania delegation! Since June, we’ve been engaged in intensive climate negotiation training through the Youth Negotiators Academy in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and we’re thrilled to contribute to climate advocacy and see how the negotiations unfold this year. We will be closely following the negotiations for Action for Climate Empowerment (#ACE), #Adaptation, and of course the theme of this COP #ClimateFinance which seems to be particularly challenging at this moment.? ? We’d love to connect if you’re also at #COP29 in Baku! #COP29 #YouthDelegates #ClimateAction #ACE #NCQG #Baku

?? This week, Deborah Lika and Kristel Hasani traveled to Baku as part of the Albanian delegation to participate in COP29, the global climate change conference. With support from Albania’s Ministry of Tourism and Environment, we’re ensuring that youth voices and perspectives are represented on the global climate stage for the second year in a row. ??Over the past six months, they’ve engaged in intensive climate training through the Climate Youth Negotiator Programme (CYNP). Through this experience, they have deepened their understanding of the climate crisis, honed their negotiation skills, and are now prepared to observe and contribute to this year’s critical negotiations, where there is an urgent need to scale up climate finance. ??Stay tuned for regular updates from Baku! We thank the Youth Negotiators Academy for the opportunity and continuous support. #COP29 #Baku #ClimateAction #UnitedNations