The NDC Regional Forum for Asia provided opportunities for young people to lead and meaningfully engage in NDC discussions with policymakers and partners.
In 2025, countries must submit new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), known as NDCs 3.0. These plans are expected to set 2035 targets aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, while strengthening resilience against climate impacts.
On 1 October 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre Asia and the Pacific, and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP) hosted the Enabler Clinic on Inclusivity: Towards Inclusive NDCs as part of the three-day NDC 3.0 Regional Forum in Asia. Expert speakers on social protection and youth engagement were invited to kickstart conversations on how NDCs 3.0 can be made more inclusive, considering views of broader stakeholders.
Youth representatives, Damayanti Prabasari (Indonesia) and Jake Tabara (Philippines) served as experts, sharing their experiences and insights on meaningful youth engagement in national processes, including for NDCs.
Best practices from previous NDCs, as well as challenges and gaps surfaced as opportunities for inclusive NDCs 3.0: developing and strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement mechanisms and platforms, ensuring representation of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and having spaces in decision-making processes were highlighted.
To address societal impacts of climate change, consideration of social protection systems in national climate strategies was also a key discussion point. Such integration likewise drives more inclusivity in NDC 3.0 discussions, in terms of socio-economic implications of climate change across populations.
Another highlight during the NDCs 3.0 Regional Forum for Asia was the Youth Statement, part of the opening plenary. This clearly recognized youth voices in NDCs discussions. The statement was delivered by Ha Nguyen (Viet Nam) representing the collective voice of Asia-Pacific youth in advancing ambitious and actionable NDCs.
Organized by UNESCAP, UNEP, UNDP and NDC Partnership in collaboration with the UNFCCC, GIZ and UN-REDD Programme, the NDCs 3.0 Regional Forum in Asia was held from 30 September to 2 October 2024 in UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.
The Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) facilitated the participation of youth in the forum, with youth representatives from Indonesia (Damayanti Prasabari), Philippines (Jake Tabara), Thailand (Jeta Jiranuntarat), Viet Nam (Ha Nguyen) attending in-person.
Below is the call to action from the Youth Statement:
As youth representatives, we have a unique opportunity to step up after this forum and turn ambition into action. The Emissions Gap Report 2023 shows that, unless we drastically increase our climate efforts, we are heading toward a devastating 2.5-2.9°C temperature rise by the end of this century. That’s why the upcoming NDCs 3.0 are so important—they’re not just plans, they’re our blueprint for our survival. This is where youth come in.
We’ve seen the impact of climate change firsthand—like the destruction caused by Typhoon Yagi. Now is our chance to push for concrete actions that target not just long-term goals but also immediate steps, like cutting methane and other pollutants that could reduce warming by 0.5°C by 2050.
Youth-led action can make this happen, and the Global Stocktake (GST) has shown that we need more inclusive, transparent, and finance-ready climate plans. We have the innovation and energy to push governments to create NDCs that are not just promises but real solutions. By working with policymakers, UN agencies, and financial partners, and young people, youth focused organizations as equal partners, we can make sure that youth voices help unlock the funding and support needed to drive climate action at every level.
As the youth representatives attending this forum, we hope that:
The critical role of meaningful youth engagement in achieving an ambitious, transparent NDC that aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement will be understood.
National Mechanisms for bringing up voices from underrepresented communities will be formed and youth networks will be put in the lead to facilitate the mechanisms that create an enabling environment.
Government frameworks for youth engagement to enhance accountability mechanisms for NDC implementation and tracking can be reshaped and strengthened. Youth should be given a government facilitated space or platform to consult, advise, and suggest recommendations, receive data and updates of the process, and actively participate in the discussions.
All countries are now working on NDCs 3.0. Despite all the differences, the Paris Agreement shows that the world can unite and rise to the challenge of the climate emergency so that we can get back to an emissions trajectory well below 2 degrees, and communities can build up adequate resilience to climate change.
We hope that in 2024, our region will be able to advance its firm commitments even further to get nationally determined contributions in line with the 1.5°C limit. And we hope to see Asian member countries play a leading role that ensures climate justice is accelerated for youth. The time to act is now. We are the generation that can make sure these NDCs 3.0 lead to a sustainable and just future for everyone. Let’s take what we’ve learned from this forum and ensure youth are at the forefront of creating real, lasting change.
To learn more about the NDCs 3.0 Regional Forum for Asia, please visit: https://www.unep.org/events/conference/ndcs-30-regional-forum-asia
To learn more about the YECAP, get connected with young climate advocates in Asia and the Pacific, and stay updated on future activities and opportunities for youth, please visit: https://linktr.ee/yecap.ap
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