Youth movements present COP30 priorities to Conference Presidency

The event, held during the Pre-COP in Brasília, highlighted the critical role of children and young people in shaping the global climate agenda as part of the “Youth Speak to the World” program.

Youth movements formally delivered letters containing their proposals and priorities for COP30 to the Conference Presidency. This presentation took place during the Pre-COP, held in Brasília earlier this week, as an integral part of the “Youth Speak to the World: Road to COP30” program. The initiative was coordinated by the National Secretariat for Youth and the COP30 Youth Climate Champion, Marcele Oliveira. The program fostered intergenerational dialogue to position youth at the center of decision-making on climate action, operating within the framework of the Global Mutirão (Collective Effort) against Climate Change.

Key authorities participated in the event, including Sonia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples; Márcia Lopes, Minister of Women; Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming; and Márcio Macedo, Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic.

The gathering reaffirmed the leadership of youth in shaping the COP30 agenda and brought together over 300 young participants representing more than 40 organizations. It also underscored the crucial role Brazilian youth play in policymaking and in influencing national climate action processes ahead of the 2026 elections.

“Young people in Brazil and globally have demonstrated that solutions already exist—many of which are being led by children and youth. This was one of the key findings of our ‘Youth Mutirão’, which mapped over 230 youth-led initiatives worldwide. These projects address vital issues such as adaptation, climate justice, and racial equity. This event, during the Pre-COP, serves to consolidate an agenda that establishes Youth and Children as protagonists of Climate Action,” stated Marcele Oliveira.

These essential actions are taking shape across the country, with children and young people driving initiatives that strengthen the environmental agenda. Through Local Youth Conferences, civil society organizations, and government initiatives—such as the Biome Delegates Network for COP30 (which was present at the event)—youth are directly contributing to the formulation of public policies and to Brazil’s positioning in the global climate agenda.

Civil society movements that delivered letters of priorities:

• Youth Organization for Ibero-America (OIJ) – Alexandre Pupo, Secretary General

• Youth Network by Biome (SNJ) – Eloize Cáceres, Representative of the Pantanal Biome

• National Union of Students (UNE) – Letícia Holanda, Director

• National Youth Council (CONJUVE) – Nádia Garcia, President

• Rural Youth and Succession Movement – Eduarda Ferreira

• Instituto Alana, Letícia Carvalho

• YOUNGO (Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC) – Natália Tsuyama

• Apirinã Indigenous Community – Rayane Xipaia

English version: Trad. Bárbara Menezes.
Proofreading by Enrique Villamil.