Baku, November 2024. Youth delegates from across the Middle East and North Africa officially presented their MENA Youth Climate Negotiators Position Paper at the 29th UNFCCC parties – the Conference of the Parties (COP29), marking a significant milestone in regional youth-led climate diplomacy. The paper offers a critical, justice-centered analysis of national climate commitments (NDCs) in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Tunisia, and presents forward-looking policy recommendations shaped by months of collaborative research, training, and dialogue.
The position paper, developed under the guidance of the Green Generation Foundation (GGF) and with support from hbs Palestine and Jordan, reflects a strong regional effort to build youth capacity in climate negotiations and ensure that youth voices are present and impactful in international policy spaces.
MENA Youth Negotiators-Phase II
Beginning in early 2024, selected youth from the four countries undertook a thorough analysis of their national climate policies and NDCs. They examined core issues such as mitigation and adaptation strategies, transparency mechanisms, and inclusivity of vulnerable groups. In countries like Lebanon and Palestine, where climate crises are compounded by socio-political instability and conflict, the youth emphasized the need for climate frameworks that integrate post-crisis rehabilitation and resilience-building.
Throughout the process, 11 participants engaged in a three days-regional training workshop held in Amman, and moderated by Mr. Habib Malouf. In these sessions, youth shared national insights, worked collaboratively on harmonizing positions, and finalized a unified paper that would represent MENA youth at the global stage.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The position paper presented at COP29 calls for:
- Institutional mechanisms for youth engagement in national climate planning
- Equitable climate finance, with an emphasis on access and justice
- Improved transparency and accountability in NDC implementation
- Context-specific approaches that reflect each country’s unique challenges and post-conflict realities
The paper also highlights the disconnect between political ambition and implementation on the ground, particularly in marginalized communities. By framing climate action within a broader human rights and justice narrative, the youth negotiators made a compelling case for transformative change, not incremental reform.
MENA Youth in COP 29
The presentation of the paper at COP29 positioned the MENA Youth Climate Negotiators as legitimate actors in the international climate space. In Baku, several delegates engaged with national representatives, participated in side events, and contributed to discussions on civil society’s role in shaping the Global Stocktake and future climate frameworks.
The position paper will continue to serve as a tool for national advocacy, civil society engagement, and future contributions to the UNFCCC process. As it has laid a strong foundation for sustained youth involvement in climate diplomacy.
As participant, Jana Rashed reflected:
“From Amman to Baku, this journey empowered me to turn Lebanon’s climate challenges into actionable advocacy. With GGF’s support, I helped shape a regional youth voice that brought urgency, justice, and post-crisis recovery to the heart of COP29.”
📥 Download the full position paper
