Youth leadership in climate action highlighted at Global Youth Summit for Sustainability 2026 ahead of COP31

Nearly 200 students, young climate advocates, academics and United Nations representatives came together at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul for a United Nations Türkiye session titled “Youth Leadership in Climate Action: From Advocacy to Impact,” highlighting the critical role of young people in shaping sustainable and climate-resilient communities ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in 2026.

Organized as part of the Global Youth Summit for Sustainability 2026, the session focused on strengthening youth engagement in climate action, advancing dialogue on global climate processes, and exploring pathways for young people to contribute to policy design and implementation. 

Opening the session, the United Nations Türkiye Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi underlined the growing urgency of the climate crisis and its direct impact on daily life, cities, livelihoods and future opportunities for young people.

“We are meeting at a time when the world feels increasingly unstable. Climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality, rapid urbanization, and technological disruption are converging in ways that no generation has experienced before,” Ahonsi said. “These are not distant or theoretical challenges. They are already shaping your daily lives.” 

Highlighting how climate change is increasingly affecting cities and communities through floods, heatwaves and environmental degradation, Ahonsi stressed that climate action must be approached not only as an environmental issue, but also as a development and justice issue. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that young people are not only consulted, but actively involved in designing solutions and shaping decisions that will affect their future. 

Ahonsi also drew attention to the opportunities presented by youth innovation and participation, noting that young people around the world are already building climate applications, mapping flood risks and using digital tools to hold decision-makers accountable.

“As we move toward COP31 in 2026, Türkiye is stepping into a global spotlight on climate action,” Ahonsi said. “But COP31 is not only about international negotiations. It is about whether we can accelerate real transformation at national and local levels across energy systems, cities, food systems and disaster resilience.” 

Welcoming participants to the university, Bahçeşehir University Rector Esra Hatipoğlu emphasized the importance of cooperation with the United Nations system and highlighted the university’s role in promoting international engagement and sustainability.

“We are hosting CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR which carries out important work in Türkiye and the MENA region. As you know, we highly value our relationship with the United Nations,” Hatipoğlu said, adding that it was especially meaningful to host the UN at the university. 

The panel discussion was moderated by Bülent Açıkgöz Development Finance and Partnerships Officer at UN Türkiye and brought together experts working on climate transparency, youth participation and sustainability; focusing on how global climate governance can be effectively connected to local action and youth leadership. Speakers included Zeynep Bakır from UNDP, Nilgün Çavuşoğlu from UNICEF and Kamil Koray Eryılmaz, Young Climate Envoy of Bahçeşehir University. 

Opening the panel discussion Açıkgöz emphasized the strong links between climate action and sustainable development. “Climate action is not a standalone agenda; it is deeply interconnected with all Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. “Progress on climate directly shapes outcomes in health, education, poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable cities. At the same time, intergenerational justice lies at the heart of climate justice, because the decisions we take today will define the rights, opportunities, and wellbeing of future generations.”

Zeynep Bakır highlighted the scale and urgency of the global climate crisis and its deep development implications, while outlining key international frameworks such as the COP process and the role of its Climate Promise initiative in supporting countries to develop more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term climate strategies. Discussions emphasized the importance of translating global commitments into practical, country-driven and locally anchored climate action.

Çavuşoğlu underscored the importance of inclusivity and meaningful youth participation in climate decision-making, particularly for young people from vulnerable and marginalized communities. The discussion highlighted intergenerational equity as a core principle of climate governance and stressed the value of youth-led initiatives as platforms for innovation, awareness and accountability.

Complementing these perspectives, the BAU Climate Envoy Eryılmaz focused on the role of youth leadership in bridging advocacy, academia and policy implementation. Discussions highlighted the importance of empowering youth-driven innovation, scaling local climate solutions and strengthening structured youth engagement in the lead-up to COP31, ensuring that young people are not only heard but actively shape climate policies and outcomes.