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Press Release for Youth at COP15 

Largest Youth Delegation in CBD COP

7 December 2022

 

COP 15: Global youth demand transformative change during final negotiations of new global biodiversity framework

 

• World leaders have resumed biodiversity negotiations at COP 15

• Youth demand a just, implementable and impactful biodiversity framework

• Youth to deliver a creative call to action at COP 15 Youth Day on 8 December 

 

COP 15, the UN Biodiversity Conference, is taking place in Montreal, Canada, from 7 to 19 December. World leaders are meeting to negotiate and adopt the most important environmental agreement of this decade: the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The framework will guide action on biodiversity through 2030 and is as important for nature as the Paris Agreement is for climate. 

 

On 8 December, youth from around the world will come together at the COP 15 Youth Day, where they will deliver a creative call to action to decision-makers. The call to action was developed at the COP 15 Youth Summit, which brought together over 350 young people. The call to action will showcase the priorities of youth for the new biodiversity framework.

 

Youth around the world are demanding genuine, transformative change through the framework. Current leaders have a responsibility to transform systems and guarantee the conservation of biodiversity for generations to come. The new framework must address the root causes of biodiversity loss and lead to an equitable world for people and nature.

 

Continuing the momentum of global youth movements, young people have shown that the new framework must stop the same injustices and have identified 3 priority areas from global consultations:

 

1. Intergenerational equity and full and effective participation of youth

2. Transformative education

3. Rights-based approaches for people and nature

 

COP 15 addresses fundamental cross-cultural issues of relevance for all people. The negotiations must meaningfully include priority groups such as indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, and people in vulnerable situations.

 

Since 2010, the Global Youth  Biodiversity Network (GYBN) has served as a platform where young people can participate and collaborate in the decision-making process. GYBN is officially recognized as the international coordination platform for youth participation in the Convention on Biodiversity.

 

GYBN is representing youth voices from around the world during the COP 15 negotiations. Since 2017, the network has hosted consultations in over 110 countries to gather the perspectives and priorities of youth in their countries, regions, and globally. GYBN is articulating the demands of youth for a truly transformative biodiversity framework.

 

GYBN looks forward to working with global media to reflect youth priorities and make information accessible throughout the negotiations. The decisions made at COP 15 will have a historical impact on nature and its contributions to people. Youth are holding global leaders to account: by amplifying their voices, the media can ensure access to accurate information and critical perspectives during the most important environmental negotiations of this decade.

 

Quick Links:

https://www.gybn.org/cop15

https://www.gybn.org/advocacy-paper-cop15

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Twitter: @gybn_cbd

Facebook: Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN)

LinkedIn: Global Youth Biodiversity Network 

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Media contact: 

 

Michelle Hahn-Baker: hahn-baker.michelle@mail.mcgill.ca

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