Caribbean nationals to participate in inaugural UN Youth Climate Summit

The United Nations says three young Caribbean “climate champions” will participate in the UN Youth Climate Summit to be held at the UN headquarters on September 21.

It said that Khadija Usher of Belize, Dainalyn Swaby of Jamaica, and Mareeka Dookie of Trinidad and Tobago, were chosen from among applicants from around the world and will join other “Green Ticket” winners for the first-ever Youth Climate Summit.

“The summit will provide a platform for these young climate leaders to showcase their solutions on a global stage and engage directly with decision-makers on the defining issue of our time,” the UN said in a statement.

It said the outcomes of the Youth Climate Summit will be presented at the 2019 UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit on September 23.

“I appeal to young people around the world to follow the Summit online and to be drivers of climate action in their own countries,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres as he extended congratulations to the “Green Ticket” winners.

The UN said the 100 “Green Ticket” Summit participants were selected from a group of over 7,000 applicants between the ages of 18 to 29, based on their demonstrated commitment to addressing the climate crisis and advancing solutions. Recipients represent countries from all regions.

“These winners will receive funded travel, with the lowest possible carbon impact, to New York to attend the Youth Climate Summit,” the UN said, adding that young people who are unable to attend in person are encouraged to participate in the “My Future Our Planet” campaign by sharing a selfie video on Twitter or Instagram declaring what actions they are already taking to fight climate change and asking their leaders to take climate action now.

The UN said the Youth Climate Summit will feature a full-day of programming that “brings together young activists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who are committed to combating climate change at the pace and scale necessary, as demonstrated by science.”

“It will be action-oriented, intergenerational and inclusive, with equitable representation of young leaders from all walks of life.

“The Youth Climate Summit is a key milestone ahead of the 2019 Climate Action Summit, which is calling on leaders from government, business and civil society to boost efforts to tackle climate change,” it added.

The Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, said “young people are leading the way on climate action.

“The Secretary-General’s Youth Climate Summit will provide a powerful global platform for young climate leaders from all over the world to take their rightful place and drive positive climate solutions”, she said.