From Youth to Leaders: Advancing Climate Resilience and Global Peace

Nisreen Elsaim, in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office, the Italian Ministries of Environment and Energy Security as well as Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the United Nations Development Program, adelphi, and the Robert Bosch Academy will host a panel discussion on 'From Youth to Leaders: Advancing Climate Resilience and Global Peace'. The event will be held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. 

In the 21^st century, conflicts fueled by the climate crisis are on the rise. The climate crisis not only aggravates environmental stressors but also triggers conflicts over resources, displacement, socio-economic inequalities, and geopolitical tensions.

These challenges create a cycle of vulnerability and insecurity, complicating efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts. Understanding conflicts like those in Sudan requires recognizing the deep interconnections between climate, peace, and security concerns. We must work to end them in collectively across multiple activist communities. A holistic approach is crucial for developing and implementing strategies that mitigate climate impacts while fostering peace and stability. In order to address complex conflicts, it is imperative to involve multiple stakeholders, especially local youth-led organizations that are rooted in their communities and are able to steer global interventions. Young people are the those who inhabit the planet of the future. They need to be part of the search for future-oriented solutions.

Bringing together key stakeholders from the climate change and peacebuilding communities, as well as stakeholders from the donor community, this dinner event will focus on youth-led initiatives to foster collaboration and drive actionable solutions at the intersection of climate change, peace, and security. Additionally, the event will address the disconnect between funders and on-the-ground communities by offering a solution-oriented matchmaking approach. This ensures that resources are effectively channeled to where they are most needed, thereby enhancing the impact and sustainability of climate change and peacebuilding efforts.

This event will present a proposal for a network that unites youth-led leadership from the climate, peace, and security sectors—three communities essential to addressing these complex conflicts.

This is an open event. If you would like to participate with brief remarks, please contact Stella Maria Frei (stella.frei@bosch-stiftung.de).

Event Agenda

Welcome
Nisreen Elsaim, Sudanese Climate and Peace Activist; former Chair, UN Secretary-General Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy

Opening Remarks
Jennifer Lee Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action

Panel Discussion
Janani Vivekananda, Head of Programme, Climate Diplomacy and Security, adelphi

Nisreen Elsaim, Sudanese Climate and Peace Activist; former Chair, UN Secretary-General Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; and Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy

Maung Sawyeddollah, Founder and Executive Director, Rohingya Students Network

Discussants
Mohammed Alyatari, Youth for Climate Program Coordinator, International Youth Council Yemen

Francesco Corvaro, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Italian Ministries of Environment and Energy Security as well as Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Shoko Noda, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director, Crisis Bureau, United Nations Development Programme

Oumou Daou Koumoue, African Union Mission Expert on Climate, Peace and Security

Leyla Hasanova, Youth Climate Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan (tbc)

Closing Statement
Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov, Senior Advisor to the COP29 Presidency, Azerbaijan (tbc)

Schedule
6:00 pm Refreshments and dinner
6:30 pm Start of event
6:35 pm Opening remarks
7:00 pm Panel
7:30 pm Discussants’ remarks and Q&A
9:00 pm End of event