EU Ambassador to Tanzania hosts youth climate change advocates ahead of COP28

EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Christine Grau, hosted a youth event at the EU Residence on Friday 17 November, where she met with young climate change advocates from the Doors of Hope Foundation and the Tanzania Youth Organization Coalition. The event was part of the LCOY, a global initiative that aims to empower young leaders to engage in climate action and sustainable development.

The LCOY serves as an influential forum for young people, activists, and stakeholders to address climate change. It encourages youth discourse on climate action, sustainable development, and environmental conservation, often acting as a catalyst for community engagement and positive change.

This LCOY in Tanzania, as a prelude to COP28, offered a stage for participants to prepare for showcasing their projects at the upcoming Conference of Youths (COY18) and COP28 Youth Pavilion in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. COP28 marks the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a crucial gathering for climate negotiations.

Ambassador Grau expressed her admiration for the youth’s involvement in these matters that are highly relevant for the future.

She said: "I hope the gathering you organised today is a good avenue to prepare for the forthcoming COP28 in Dubai, UAE, where the voices of youth will need to be heard! I am impressed to see how you engage in these matters that are so relevant for your future. Your ideas and opinions matter to this planet!"

She also underscored the EU's commitment in supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions aligning with the Paris Agreement. She mentioned specific EU-supported initiatives in Tanzania such as those focusing on urban development, agriculture, and the blue economy.

Representing the youth, Shamim Wasii Nyanda, from the Doors of Hope Foundation, expressed gratitude to the Ambassador for the EU’s support.

She urged the Ambassador and other stakeholders to invest in meaningful youth participation, trust-building, and capacity development to tackle climate change.

"We are often told that we are the last generation to save people and planet. But how can we do that without adequate resources and opportunities? We don't want to be tokens of change, we want to be drivers of real and impactful sustainable change. We are not only the future, we are also the present." she said.

The youth also shared their stories and challenges in implementing their projects and initiatives, as well as their hopes and expectations for the COP28. They reaffirmed their commitment to work for a greener and more sustainable future for themselves and generations to come.