Baku, Azerbaijan – Qaiser Nawab, a renowned Global Climate Youth Activist and President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), participated in the panel discussion titled “Youth Dialogue for Climate Action” at the Social and Human Science Event during COP-29. The thematic day, “Human Capital: Children and Youth; Health; Education,” was organized by ICESCO at their pavilion and moderated by Dr. Elgun Safarov, Member of the United Nations CEDAW Committee.
The panel featured prominent speakers, including H.E. Ms. Malahat Ibrahimgizi, Member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan; Mr. Nasser Majali, Secretary General of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association; Ms. Leyla Hasanova, COP-29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion; and Dr. Aytakin Huseynli, Assistant Research Professor at the Center for Social Development, Washington University in St. Louis.
In his speech, Qaiser Nawab emphasized the critical role of youth in combating climate change, stating:
“It is an honor to speak at this Youth Dialogue for Climate Action, a session that highlights the transformative power of young people in addressing the climate crisis. The Baku BY4Y Youth Declaration symbolizes youth leadership, showcasing how we can shape climate policies and drive impactful actions globally.”
He highlighted the success of youth-led initiatives in areas such as sustainable farming, renewable energy, and community advocacy, citing campaigns like “One Small Act for Climate” as evidence of the collective impact youth can have on climate resilience.
Mr. Nawab outlined three key steps to empower youth:
1. Institutionalizing Youth Engagement: Ensuring youth voices are integral to climate governance.
2. Investing in Youth Capacity: Providing resources to innovate and scale solutions.
3. Amplifying Stories: Leveraging storytelling to inspire global action and influence policy.
He also stressed the importance of linking cultural heritage with modern AI tools, suggesting that lessons from ancient civilizations could be integrated into today’s technologies for a sustainable future.
Ms. Leyla Hasanova, the COP-29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion, underscored the need for increased financial resources to support youth engagement and human development. She shared updates on recent initiatives to enhance meaningful participation by young people in climate action.
The session concluded with a group photo, with participants expressing gratitude to ICESCO for hosting such an impactful dialogue at a crucial platform like COP-29.
