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Climate change and its adverse impacts increasingly affect how, when, and where people migrate worldwide. There is no region in the world that has avoided population movements directly, or indirectly, linked to adverse climate change impacts. This comes in a world hosting 2.3 billion children and 1.8 billion young people, the largest generation in history (UNDSA).

The impact of climate and environmental change intersects with demographic trends, in particular the growing number of children and youth in places highly susceptible to climate change. For example, continents most vulnerable to climate change impacts are also hosting the highest proportions of children and youth migrants. According to the Africa State of Climate Report of the World Meteorological Organization, the rate of temperature increase across Africa is higher than the global average. And the African continent is home to more young people today than ever before: almost 60% of Africa's population is under the age of 25, making Africa the world's youngest continent, and this number is expected to double by 2050. 

In this context, youth and young migrants are among those most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, but they are also key agents of change. 

The UN Migration Network (UNMN) and its climate change workstream (IOM, ILO, UNFCCC) organize a GCM Talk for youth to exchange ideas, share lessons learn and provide insights regarding the youth engagement in the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). The GCM talk will also explore concrete ways of strengthening youth engagement in climate and migration related policy discussions towards COP29 .  

Objectives:

• Discussing outcomes of COP28 from a youth perspective
• Talking about different migration pathways that can support climate change adaptation and how young migrants, youth and youth diaspora can be part of the solution
• Sharing ways to strengthen a UN system-wide and multi-stakeholder approach, with a specific emphasis on young people, to fulfilling GCM’s objectives and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development
• Exploring concrete ways of strengthening youth engagement in climate and migration related policy discussions towards COP29  

More about GCM Talks

In February 2023, the United Nations Network on Migration launched a series of global and regional consultations and peer-learning exchanges – GCM Talks – to support Member States, the United Nations system, and stakeholders to continue discussions on how best to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The GCM Talks take place mainly at global and regional levels. Where relevant, GCM Talks can be organized at the national level. Their purpose is to encourage an exchange of ideas, identify key challenges or issues that require attention, initiate pledges and identify practices for inclusion on the Hub.

Format

The event will be held in a virtual format and will last 1h30. Simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Spanish will be provided.