APYTF Dedicated Blog: Overview of 'Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions- from Rio de Jenario to Doha.'

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) 18 has a special importance since it needs to finalize the old negotiation tracks, and make new commitments towards Post 2015. It is imperative to involve youth in this process, and consider their voices and issues. Rio+20 reaffirmed that we need a more sustainable development path. To achieve this we need to change how we think and act, develop and implement capacity building programs, and hence engage youth in these programs in order to secure green jobs and a green economy.

In this regard Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 (APYTF) organized Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions- from Rio de Jenario to Doha in UNFCCC COP18/CMP8 to engage youth in the process of consultation and make a common voice. Main objective of the GYF was to provide an opportunity for global youth to discuss global issues and their concerns regarding COP18; to identify the Mountain Youth issues and priorities for Green Economy; and to develop and share Global Youth Appeal for COP18 delegates.

Twenty delegates from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Pacific joined the GYF and shared their national youth appeal, declaration, views, concerns and recommendations. At the end of the GYF ‘Global Youth Appeal for COP18’ was drafted, which was finalized after virtual consultation. The purpose of "Global Youth Appeal for COP18" is to outreach the Youth Voices to the COP18 delegates so they consider the views and concerns of Global Youth regarding UNFCCC COP18/ CMP8. The ‘Global Youth Appeal for COP18’ was shared on Mountain Day 2 during Knowledge Café session and make part of ‘Youth Appeal’ which was presented in Ministerial/ Policy Makers' Round Table Panel Discussion on 3rd Dec, 2012.

Global Youth Forum speakers including Ms Sameera Zaib (APYTF, Pakistan), Ms Danaé Espinoza. (PIDES, Latin America), Mr Abiodun Dominic Odunuga, (Zero Carbon Africa), Mr Wilson (Eco Singapore), Ms Timila Dhakwa, (Team Green Economy, Nepal) and Mr David Gawith (Newzeland) addressed the youth forum and presented youth appeal/declaration, views and concerns regarding UNFCCC COP18 and mountain issues and green solutions, and shared youth activities in their region/countries and gave suggestions for developing youth appeal. They demanded the COP18 delegates to involve and consider the youth concerns and recommendation while developing policies at national and international level and that world leader must take serious steps in addressing the climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Youth delegate showed voluntary commitment for rising environmental awareness and green economy in their communities, mobilizing youth and taking key messages of COP18 and Global Youth Forum within their networks.