LCOY 2026 Yaounde: UNDP backs youth-led solutions to climate challenges.

The conference brought together young climate actors and organisations to discuss climate priorities and develop recommendations for national and international climate processes.

The event, backed by UNDP, UNICEF and the government, was organised by a coalition of eight youth-led organisations, with Support Humanity Cameroon, SUHUCAM, as lead organisation. 

Prior to the in-person conference in Yaounde, organisers conducted regional and national youth consultations on climate change to collect the perspectives and priorities of young people. 

The consultations were designed to broaden participation beyond the national gathering and ensure contributions from different parts of the country feed into the process. 

Addressing the young climate actors, Kamga encouraged participants to take advantage of available opportunities and platforms to innovate and build partnerships instead of waiting for solutions to come entirely from institutions. 

He also called on young people to work with communities, government and development partners to transform youth ideas and initiatives into practical responses to climate-related challenges.

“Climate urgency is not waiting, but the good news is that youths are actively looking for solutions. That is one of the reasons why they are participating in LCOY,” Kamga said.

He further urged young people to recognise their potential and believe in their ability to contribute to climate action, while expressing satisfaction at the participation of young Cameroonians in the conference.

Partners push youth participation

SUHUCAM Founder and Coordinator, Sunday Geofrey, said bringing young climate actors together was aimed at increasing their participation in climate discussions and creating opportunities for them to present solutions already being implemented in their communities.

On her part, UNICEF Cameroon Deputy Representative, Juliette Haeni, highlighted the role young people are already playing in responding to climate risks in their communities. She cited UNICEF-supported U-Reporters involved in disaster preparedness, including responses to flooding in the Far North. Haeni urged participants to bring Cameroon’s diverse climate realities into discussions while proposing practical responses.

“You need to bring that voice to the table, but also concrete solutions. The best solutions come from young people and local communities because you know the issues you are facing and can propose concrete solutions,” Haeni said.

Government representatives also called for stronger youth involvement in climate decision-making. Cameroon’s UNFCCC Focal Point at the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Dr Timothée Kagonbé, said young people require knowledge and capacity in areas including adaptation, mitigation and climate negotiations to contribute effectively to national positions.

He said he expected the LCOY process to produce a youth declaration that could be considered as Cameroon prepares its official climate position to present at the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference, COP 31, which will take place from November 9 to 20, 2026, at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Türkiye.

Youths table key recommendations

At the end of the process, the youths called on government to establish a predictable, transparent and accessible national youth climate adaptation fund to support grassroots and youth-led adaptation initiatives.

They also recommended land reforms to secure sustainable and equitable access to land for young people, women and indigenous communities, noting that secure land tenure is a requirement for adaptation and a just transition.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3927 of Friday October 02, 2026