UAE Co-Hosts UNDP Youth Event on Climate, Peace, and Security in Kenya.

General


NAIROBI: Last week, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) successfully hosted a version of its Expert Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, specifically aimed at youth, with a focus on climate, peace, and security. The event was co-hosted by the UAE in its capacity as the current holders of the COP presidency following COP28 in 2023, alongside partners from COP27, COP29, and the Climate Security Mechanism.

According to Emirates News Agency, the innovative initiative was launched to develop much-needed expertise on the connections between climate change, peace, and security. With both climate action and peacebuilding increasingly fields where young leaders play a significant role in driving progress, this special youth iteration of the Expert Academy aimed to empower young professionals and advocates to foster transformative change for peace and climate security across Africa and the Middle East.

The three-day event brought together experts, practitioners, and young leaders to share insights, strategies, and
best practices for establishing sustainable peace through inclusive climate action that mitigates conflict risks. Key themes included climate change adaptation, food and water security, youth inclusion in policymaking, and innovative climate financing. Participants engaged in interactive workshops and hands-on training sessions, equipping them with essential tools and knowledge for impactful action for climate and peace within their communities. The event also saw the launch of UNDP’s new report on ‘Bridging Generations: Pathways to a Youth-Inclusive Climate, Peace and Security Agenda’.

The event underscored a commitment to collaborative efforts to tackle climate-related issues. The COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace was highlighted as an example of successful climate and peace diplomacy, as well as a major step in international recognition for the need to support climate resilience at the scale and speed required in highly vulnerable countries and communities, particularly those impact
ed by fragility or conflict. The continued need to scale up financial resources for climate adaptation and resilience, including for youth-led projects, was especially highlighted.

The COP28 International Youth Climate Delegate Programme, an initiative of the COP28 Youth Climate Champion Shamma Al Mazrui, was also showcased for its support for 100 young people from countries impacted by conflict to participate in the COP28 event. These youth delegates have gone on to create ground-breaking solutions for peacebuilding and climate in their communities. With the institutionalization of the Youth Climate Champion role under the COP28’s momentous ‘UAE Consensus’ – the historic agreement by 198 Parties to usher in a new era of climate action – these efforts are now being carried forward by COP29 Youth Climate Champion Leyla Hasanova, who was also in attendance in Nairobi.

As climate change intensifies, its impacts are increasingly felt in regions vulnerable to conflict. The Expert Academy served as a platform for
participants to explore these connections between environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and conflict. Through a series of case studies and workshops, attendees examined how extreme weather events lead to displacement, creating challenges in host communities and heightening the potential for conflict over limited resources.

Discussions addressed the competition for dwindling natural resources – such as water and arable land – that can escalate tensions among communities, often leading to violence and unrest. Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in peacebuilding, sessions were designed to empower young leaders to advocate for climate-sensitive policies that tackle the root causes of conflict. Participants collaborated to brainstorm strategies for fostering resilience in communities vulnerable to both climate change and conflict, emphasizing sustainable and cross-sectional practices to mitigate risks.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of collaborative learning and the sharing of strategies
and approaches on these crucial themes, while many expressed enthusiasm for the practical skills gained and their commitment to driving change within their communities. Further progress in this field is anticipated from the upcoming COP29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, which will once again feature a thematic day on Relief, Recovery, and Peace. A youth Ministerial on this day will further develop an initiative from COP28 to establish a global framework of procedures and best practices on youth, peace, and climate security.