Arriving in Warsaw yesterday to participate in the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) on the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, spoke at the “Intergenerational Inquiry on Climate Change” side event this afternoon.
Part of the sixth ‘Young and Future Generations Day’ held at COP, the Intergenerational Inquiry gives young people from around the world a chance to make their voices heard in the climate change discussions.
Youth representatives, Ahmad Alhendawi, and Christiana Figueres at the Intergenerational inquiry event.
“The Secretary-General has offered youth a place at his 2014 climate summit so that you can express your wishes and contribute your ideas. I am happy to be here to listen to and discuss with you what this participation might look like,” said the Envoy.
Alhendawi in a discussion with COP19 youth participants
When asked why the international community has not yet ‘solved’ the climate change issue, Alhendawi stressed that it is a complex challenge which requires several different responses, including developing technological innovations and creating green jobs that support low-emission growth and behavioural change.
Later in the day, the Envoy participated in a side event on “Youth working with children to build a sustainable future,” highlighting practical initiatives by children and youth to further the understanding of and mitigate and adapt to climate change.