Youth climate paper calls for greater voice for vulnerable communities

Young climate activists have called for greater inclusion of climate-vulnerable communities in Bangladesh's climate policies ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

They handed over the National Youth Climate Position Paper 2026, based on the experiences of young people from all 64 districts and vulnerable communities, to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the closing session of Bangladesh Youth COP 2026 in Dhaka today (22 September).

Organised by ActionAid Bangladesh and Brighters, the four-day event was themed "From Paris to Antalya: A Decade of Climate Commitments and Realities."

The position paper calls for greater focus on climate adaptation and mitigation, locally led adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, technology transfer, climate education, gender equality, social inclusion and meaningful youth participation in policymaking.

Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, who moderated the session, stressed the need to take the demands of marginalised communities to the global climate stage.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle said communities across the Indo-Pacific were already experiencing sea-level rise, extreme weather and displacement.

"Effective climate action requires governments, local communities, young people and affected populations to work together. COP31 must focus on implementation and ensure that the voices of vulnerable people are heard," she said.

Fahmida Khanam, acting secretary of the environment ministry, formally received the position paper, saying its recommendations could contribute to Bangladesh's COP31 position.

She also called for greater youth participation in climate action, regional cooperation and international negotiations.

High Commissioner of the Maldives to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed said young people from Bangladesh, the Maldives and other Asian countries could work together to build a stronger regional voice on climate issues.

She said young people in the Maldives are consulted before the government participates in COP negotiations, allowing their views to be reflected in the country's climate position.

Anders B Carlsen, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh, said climate change had no borders and required cooperation from local communities to international policymakers.

Fariha Sultana Aumi, chairperson of Brighters, said the position was prepared through direct engagement with marginalised communities, including those in Bagerhat, Kaptai-Rangamati and other vulnerable and remote areas.

Presenting the paper, Aumi called for adaptation to remain a priority, increased adaptation finance, stronger implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and meaningful youth participation in climate planning and implementation.

Nizam Uddin, a youth representative from Hatiya, Noakhali, said storms and waterlogging often cut island communities off from the outside world, disrupting transport and healthcare.

"Basic services and local protection must be prioritised in climate adaptation policies," he said.

The four-day programme began on 19 September with a march, followed by thematic discussions, an international online dialogue and the closing conference today.

More than 100 young climate activists took part and unveiled a 20-point charter ahead of COP31.