THE JOURNALISTS AND WRITERS FOUNDATION AT THE
27TH UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE (COP27)
IN SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT
The Journalists and Writers Foundation`s Program Associate and Youth Representative to the UN Department of Global Communications Priyanka Chahal has attended the COP27 in Egypt and engaged with the high-level officials and young human rights advocates across the world working on innovative and inclusive policy suggestions to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC or COP27, was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from November 6 to 18, 2022. Over 90 Heads of States and approximately 45,000 delegates from 190 countries attended this intergovernmental platform, which was presided over by Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sameh Shoukry. At the COP27 in Egypt this year, the conversation and advocacy surrounding climate change have been led by young people. They were recognized as official stakeholders in climate policy under the Action for Climate Environment (ACE) plan.
There are many components of both strategies for sustainable development and adaptation to climate change, thus tackling both simultaneously can result in synergy.
Sustainable development is referred to as meeting the needs of the present without diminishing the resources of the upcoming generations to fulfil their requirement to achieve a dignified living. It entails the harmonious coexistence of a sound and viable economy, responsible governance, people’s empowerment, social cohesion, and ecological integrity. Sustainable development should involve fostering economic growth as a requirement for sustaining environmental quality rather than implying economic stagnation or giving up economic growth for the sake of the environment.
The relationship between climate change and sustainable development results from the fact that one is a constraint on the other: climate change is a development constraint, and sustainable development is essential to building capacity for mitigation and adaptation. Therefore, there are many components that sustainable development and climate change mitigation measures have in common, and by combining them, they can be more effective.
A youth climate forum and the first-ever climate youth negotiator program were both introduced at this year’s COP27.
COP27 hosted by Egypt appointed a youth envoy for the first time, set up a dedicated Children and Youth pavilion in the UN-managed blue zone, and allowed young climate negotiators to participate in actual climate negotiations, rather than just in informal simulations. Dr. Omnia El Omrani, the first-ever official youth representative, also presented a strong advocacy for the inclusion of young people’s voices. More than 45,000 people attended COP27 to exchange concepts, find solutions, and form alliances. Indigenous peoples, local communities, cities, and civil society, especially youth and children, demonstrated how they are addressing climate change and highlighted how it affects their lives.
Young people received a record level of attention, with the UN Executive Secretary for Climate Change committing to press governments to not only hear the answers put forth by young people but to also take those solutions into account when making decisions and forming policies. Through the first-ever youth-led Climate Forum and the ground-breaking children and youth pavilion, young people made their opinions heard.
In COP27, Our Youth Representative to UNDGC, Priyanka Chahal also participated and brought together different youth leaders to discuss and amplify ideas for international climate action and took their interviews at COP27, in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. The discussion between JWF Youth Representative and other young leaders was focused on the efforts and mobilization of young people working at the nexus of sustaining peace and climate action in light of the growing knowledge that climate change is impeding sustainable development and compromising peace and security. The conversation also highlighted and concentrated on how youth, peace, and security are addressed in terms of Sustainable Development and climate change.
Moreover, the decisions made at COP27 also reemphasized the crucial necessity of providing all stakeholders with the means to participate in climate action, particularly through the five-year action plan on Action for Climate Empowerment and the intermediate review of the Gender Action Plan. These results will enable all parties to collaborate to resolve participation imbalances and give stakeholders the resources they need to promote more extensive and inclusive climate action at all levels.
WHAT YOUTH DEMANDED AT COP27?
The main request and policy suggestion of the youth coalition was
the urgent initiation of a loss and damage finance.
Governments also agreed to establish a ‘transitional committee to make recommendations on how to operationalize both the new funding arrangements and the fund at COP28 next year. The first meeting of the transitional committee is expected to take place before the end of March 2023. More about the outcome of COP27 can be read here: COP27 Reaches Breakthrough Agreement on New “Loss and Damage” Fund for Vulnerable Countries
JWF Youth Representative Priyanka Chahal with Member of the UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, ARCHANA SORENG and Chair of UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, Nisreen Elsaim.
JWF Youth Representative Priyanka Chahal at COP27 side-events in Egypt engaging with various stakeholders.