Our team at A4E had the privilege of attending the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, held in Dubai, UAE, from November 30th to December 12th, 2023. This conference marked a monumental moment in the global fight against climate change, gathering nearly 200 countries and over 70,000 delegates from diverse backgrounds.
The conference, hosted at Expo City, demonstrated the growing recognition of the urgency of climate action and the need for international cooperation. Somalia, under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, showcased its commitment to addressing climate change by sending a significant delegation comprising various ministries. Notably, Somali youth and civil society organizations had the opportunity to actively participate in COP28, thanks to the support provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Our team’s objectives at COP28 were centered on amplifying the voices of Somali youth in climate discussions, fostering international collaborations, advocating for African perspectives, and utilizing informal sessions for engagement. Overcoming challenges related to accreditation and funding, we were fortunate to attend the conference, thanks to the intermediary support of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and financial assistance from UNDP.
This collaboration highlighted the importance of inclusive participation in global climate events and served as a model for empowering youth activists. During COP28, we engaged in a wide range of sessions, gaining insights into youth-led initiatives, regional climate adaptation strategies, the role of civil society organizations, innovative technologies, gender-responsive policies, and sustainable practices.
These experiences provided invaluable insights and learnings, reinforcing the significance of youth engagement, context-specific approaches, community-led initiatives, cutting-edge solutions, and interdisciplinary approaches in addressing climate change. COP28 underscored the urgency of climate action and the transformative potential of collective efforts, and we are committed to sharing these learnings to drive climate action and sustainable development in our community and beyond.
