By Dawda Cham
Member of Youth Task Team, The Gambia.
Youth Climate Change Activist.
As the global climate community converged in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29), I stood at the forefront, championing the voices of African youth and playing a key role in critical discussions on climate policy, youth inclusion, and sustainable solutions. My engagement at COP29 was multifaceted, reflecting my deep commitment to shaping climate action on a global scale. In the following paragraphs, I will take you through some of my COP29 highlights.
Dawda at COP29.
First, I served as a Co-lead of the Policy Briefing Team of YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In this role, I co-facilitated meetings and discussions aimed at ensuring that young people’s perspectives were effectively represented in policy negotiations. I worked alongside global youth leaders to provide briefings that informed delegates and the YOUNGO constituency about youth priorities such as Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), climate finance, adaptation, gender and climate, and Global Stocktake.
Dawda coordinating one of the YOUNGO Daily Policy Debriefs at COP29.
I was also on several panel discussions, including the ActNowFilm premiere and panel. Titled “ActNowFilm: Youth Climate Leaders as Agents of Change”, this film is a project by the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research (IPR) and Cambridge Zero alongside their partners and it seeks to integrate the expertise of global climate experts with the stories and initiatives of young people worldwide. I was honored to appear in this film for two consecutive years and share my story at an event as big as the COP to address the concerns of my community and inspire younger generations. In the film, I discussed how devastating climate change events impacted Gambia’s food systems, exacerbating rural-urban migration and irregular migration through the Mediterranean Sea among the youth, which did not spare my own family.
Dawda speaking at the ActNowFilm premier panel at COP29.
As one of the 100 delegates (selected out of 11,000 applicants) of the maiden COP28 International Youth Delegate Program by the UAE government, I was invited to the “Youth Delegate Programs for Inclusive Policymaking” session at the UAE Pavilion as a special guest to share my story in the program, and the progress I have made as a youth negotiator for The Gambia. This was an opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking with similar youth delegate programs aimed at enhancing more youth participation in global climate policy processes.
Dawda speaking at the “Youth Delegate Programs for Inclusive Policymaking” session at the UAE Pavilion the at COP29.
Bringing insights from my leadership in the RCOY Africa Policy Team, I presented key recommendations from the African Regional Youth Statement, a comprehensive document reflecting the climate aspirations and needs of young people across the continent at the Ethiopian Pavilion in partnership with UNICEF Africa. This was an opportunity to directly interact with two youth ministers from Africa and discuss the top priorities of African youth as presented in the youth statement, which was created through gathering input from consultations and incorporating perspectives from diverse stakeholders to ensure that African youth voices were not just heard but actively considered in the COP29 negotiations.
Dawda declaring the African Regional Youth Statement at the Ethiopian Pavilion at COP29.
Additionally, I played an instrumental role in the 19th Global Conference of Youth (COY19), which took place in Baku as the official youth preparatory event for COP29. As Co-facilitator of the National Youth Statements Team of YOUNGO, I collaborated with fellow youth leaders to facilitate the development of approximately 90 National Youth Statements which were later integrated into the Global Youth Statement, shaping discussions at the main COP event.
As a youth negotiator for The Gambia, I have been attached to our Lead Negotiators on Climate Finance and Adaptation and have been actively following and participating in negotiations since COP28, highlighting the priorities, challenges, and solutions that matter most to Gambian youth. My focus has been on advocating for increased climate finance, enhanced adaptation measures, and equitable policies that address the unique vulnerabilities of least-developed countries.
Dawda attending a ministerial meeting as a member of the Gambian delegation at COP29.
Finally, as COP29 concluded, I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that youth-led climate solutions continue to gain traction in global policy spaces. My leadership at the conference set the stage for deeper engagement in COP30 and beyond, reinforcing the critical role that young African leaders play in shaping a sustainable and resilient future. With my strategic contributions, powerful advocacy, and unwavering dedication, I made a lasting impact at COP29, solidifying my position as a key youth climate leader both in The Gambia and on the global stage. My participation at COP29 would not have been possible without the support of Youth Opportunity and Transformation in Africa – YOTA who provided me funding through its Africa Youth Partnership Project for Climate Action supported by the Ford Foundation.
A picture of Dawda at the Children and Youth Pavilion.
