- More than 40 young Maldivians developed climate priorities to inform the country's COP31 engagement, presenting recommendations to the Climate Change Minister.
- The three-day Youth Track to COP31 covered climate science, adaptation, finance and negotiations, with two participants selected to represent Maldivian youth at the conference.
- Led by the Ministry and UNICEF Maldives, the sixth-edition programme responds to rising seas, coastal erosion and extreme weather affecting communities across the Maldives.
Climate priorities developed by more than 40 young Maldivians will inform the country’s engagement at COP31, with participants presenting their recommendations to the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.
The recommendations were prepared during the Youth Track to COP31, a three-day programme covering climate science, adaptation, mitigation, climate finance and international negotiations. Participants also examined green skills and just transitions through an intergenerational dialogue.
A simulated COP process gave participants experience with the negotiations involved in reaching international climate agreements. Two participants were subsequently selected to represent Maldivian children and young people at COP31, scheduled to take place in Türkiye from 9 to 20 November 2026.
“Climate change and its impacts are not far off scenarios for us; they are our everyday reality. So, understanding climate issues and learning how to speak up about it at the national and global stage is really important for young people to be part of the solutions. It also gives us the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to decisions that will shape our future,” said 16-year-old participant Aminath Ajna Imran.
The recommendations reflect participants’ priorities for climate resilience, environmental protection and greater youth involvement in climate policy. They were presented to the head of the Maldivian delegation to COP31 for consideration at the conference.
The initiative is led by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy and UNICEF Maldives. This year marked its sixth edition, organised with support from Islamic Relief Australia and UNICEF Australia.
The programme comes as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, extreme weather and environmental degradation continue to affect communities across the Maldives. These pressures also carry implications for children’s health, education, wellbeing and future opportunities.
Earlier this year, UNICEF supported the Local Conference of Youth Maldives 2026 consultation workshop. The youth-led process brought together participants from across the country to prepare the first draft of the Maldives National Youth Statement on Climate Change.
The statement records the concerns and proposals of young Maldivians and is expected to contribute to the YOUNGO Global Youth Statement, which will also be presented at COP31.
“As we close this Youth Track to COP, we are reminded that meaningful youth participation cannot begin and end with a single event. As the world looks ahead to COP31, we must ensure that young people continue to have meaningful opportunities to engage in climate discussions and decision-making processes. Their perspectives, experiences, and solutions are critical to building a more resilient Maldives,” said UNICEF Representative to the Maldives a.i. Kenanao Keemenao Motlhoiwa.
