Global youth climate leaders to gather in Brazil for historic summit ahead of COP30

As the world turns its attention to Brazil for the upcoming COP30 climate negotiations, a powerful youth movement is taking shape in Belo Horizonte.

From 2-5 April, the historic campus of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) will welcome 200 young climate leaders from 39 countries, with another 300 joining virtually, for what promises to be one of Brazil's most significant youth climate events of the year, reads a press release. 

The Global Youth Climate Summit 2025, organised by the Global Youth Leadership Center (GYLC) in partnership with UFMG, comes at a critical moment. With climate impacts intensifying across the Global South, this summit creates a platform for those most affected by the crisis to lead the conversation on solutions.

"Youth from climate-vulnerable regions bring unique perspectives and innovative approaches that are essential to addressing the climate emergency," explains Ejaj Ahmad, CEO of GYLC. "This summit represents a critical opportunity for these voices to shape the global climate agenda ahead of COP30."

The four-day gathering will bring together an impressive coalition of government officials, academic leaders, corporate executives, and youth activists. Professor Mateus Simões de Almeida, Vice Governor of Minas Gerais, will join high-level representatives from Brazil's national government, including Dr Euzebio Jorge Silveira de Sousa from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Dr Rita de Cássia Mesquita from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Corporate leadership will be represented by CEMIG CEO Reynaldo Passanezi Filho and executives from FIEMG and other organizations. Academic perspectives will come from UFMG Rector Dr Sandra Regina Goulart Almeida, Dr Geraldo Fernandes (Coordinator of the Knowledge Center for Biodiversity), and Professor Ricardo Gonçalves (Director of the Institute of Biological Sciences), while former NASA scientist Peter Fiekowsky will provide scientific insights.

Most importantly, youth climate activists will take center stage throughout the summit. Rayane Xipaya, an Indigenous activist from the Amazon region, will share perspectives on forest protection and Indigenous rights. Fellow youth leaders from Japan, Kenya, South Africa, Bangladesh, Peru, Ghana, and dozens of other nations will contribute their diverse experiences and solutions.

Beyond inspiring speeches and panel discussions, the summit will produce tangible outcomes. Participants will collaboratively develop the Belo Horizonte Youth Climate Declaration, a document that will channel youth perspectives directly into the COP30 negotiations scheduled for November in Belém. Additionally, ten exceptional youth climate champions will receive $1,000 grants to implement community-based climate action projects in their home regions.

This ambitious gathering has been made possible through strategic partnerships. UFMG's Knowledge Center for Biodiversity and Institute of Biological Sciences serve as knowledge partners, with CEMIG as gold sponsor, FIEMG as silver sponsor, and Itaminas as decarbonisation partner.

GYLC brings 16 years of experience through its predecessor organisation, the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center, specialising in adaptive leadership training and investing in youth-led initiatives across the Global South. The organisation's focus on expanding climate science knowledge, building leadership skills, and supporting practical climate action makes it uniquely positioned to convene this landmark summit.

As the climate crisis accelerates, the perspectives of those on the frontlines become increasingly vital. For four days in April, Belo Horizonte will become the epicenter of youth climate leadership, offering a preview of the energy and innovation that young leaders will bring to the critical COP30 negotiations later this year.