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Leyla Hasanova

July 25, 2025 22:04

For young people across the Arab world, the climate emergency is deeply alarming. In the cradle of civilization, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are at their lowest levels in recorded history. Deserts are spreading; saltwater from rising sea levels is seeping into the Nile and Shatt Al-Arab, threatening farmers and food systems; city-dwellers toil under debilitating heatwaves, the intensity of which is magnified by their concrete surroundings. For those touched by conflict, the prospects are even more terrifying.

And these generations are bulging — over half of those living in the region are under the age of 25. This means a future with more demand on resources, more pressure on ecosystems and more demand for jobs that can withstand a changing climate. That young people are anxious about all of this is not only understandable; it is justified. Young people want — and deserve — a new vision for the future.

Fortunately, young people are determined to be a force for good. During COP27 in Egypt, the first youth envoy was appointed and given a seat at the table. At COP28, the UAE advanced these efforts by institutionalizing the Presidency Youth Climate Champion role, ensuring the voices of children and youth were amplified in high-level climate discussions.

As the COP29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion team, we helped ensure that negotiations in Azerbaijan on a new finance deal for developing countries addressed youth priorities. The Baku Finance Goal specifically addressed youth financial inclusion, committing donors to financing the well-being of future generations on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

This year is pivotal. Under the Paris Agreement, countries must submit their updated national climate plans — known as Nationally Determined Contributions — by September. These must plot, in detail, how all sectors of national economies will cut carbon emissions over the next decade. In addition, countries must lay out how they will adapt to the relentless consequences of a warming world. Together, these NDCs form the backbone of our global climate efforts.

First, these documents are our last best chance to keep the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement in reach and stave off the worst effects of climate change.

Second, by highlighting priority industries of the future, setting timelines and targets and demonstrating government commitment, they send powerful market signals which serve as green lights to green investment. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

And third, today’s young generation is not simply inheriting these plans; we will carry them out. We stand ready and determined to meet this responsibility.

In the next round of climate plans, young people want to see a new vision for our future.

Leyla Hasanova

As governments enter the final few months before submission, they must focus on three essential pillars: consultation, integration and education.

Consultation underpins all effective policymaking, and youth inclusion is no exception. We have proved we can help deliver better outcomes with the Baku Finance Goal at COP29. Now we believe governments must act on the concerns and priorities of their young people. Last year, our team led numerous consultations with youth groups across the world. This experience reaffirmed that meaningful engagement with youth fosters a stronger sense of ownership over the processes we are expected to deliver.

Next, climate plans must be fully integrated into national development strategies and policy frameworks. Across the Arab world, governments are rolling out ambitious national programs — Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and ����ֱ��’s Vision 2030 are just two examples which emphasize environmental stewardship. However, as countries prepare to submit their updated climate plans to the UN, we cannot let them sit on the sidelines — they must be embedded at the heart of national missions. Only then can we turn pledges into progress.

Of course, not all countries have sufficient resources or policy know-how. As COP29 host, Azerbaijan is working closely with the UN as COP29 host to ensure every country has the support necessary to produce the best version of their plans.

And finally, education and skills will be critical. Climate literacy is essential to help young people understand and navigate the challenges ahead. Equally, possessing skills in the industries of the future, from clean energy to regenerative agriculture, will help them seize tomorrow’s opportunities.

At COP29, we launched the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience, spotlighting the importance of integrating education, capacity building and skills into national climate strategies. If governments are truly committed to their pledges, they need to equip the next generation that will be doing the work.

Our generation may have our whole lives ahead of us, but we are in a race against time. In the next round of climate plans, young people want to see a new vision for our future. We want something positive. And we want plans that we can work towards.

• Leyla Hasanova is a COP29 presidency youth climate champion