Conference of Youth
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Conference of Youth
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The Conference of Youth (COY) is the world's largest platform for young change-makers to unify their voices before the UN Climate Change Conference.
Global Delegates
Building aligned climate action priorities before COP.
Impact Report
150+ Countries
Represented across recent COYs
YOUNGO is the official Children and Youth Constituency to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), serving as the primary mechanism for ensuring that the voices of young people are centered in global climate negotiations. Established in 2009, Youngo is the oldest children and youth constituency in the UNFCCC system, representing a global movement of 100% volunteer-led advocacy. While our presence is most visible at the annual UN Climate Conferences (COPs), Youngo work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that children and youth are not just spectators, but active participants in the discussions that shape their future.
All YOUNGO-sanctioned events, including L/R/COY, are governed by core values of Openness and Inclusiveness, ensuring equal access and a focus on marginalized voices. We operate through Horizontality, treating all members as equals in decision-making, and maintain Dignity by ensuring a safe environment with zero tolerance for harassment. These principles are upheld by Transparency and Integrity, ensuring all volunteers act with responsibility and impartiality for the collective good.
YOUNGO endorses and co-hosts various formats of children and youth conferences to empower, and formally bring children and youth voices to the UNFCCC processes, shaping the intergovernmental climate change policies. The Conferences of Children and Youth on Climate Change COY, RCOYs, and LCOYs are independent conferences organized and/or endorsed by YOUNGO, with local child and youth-led NGOs.
Local climate voices, organized nationally.
LCOYs are national and sub-national level events hosted by children and young people under the auspices of YOUNGO. Their purpose is to empower and articulate youth action against the climate crisis, influence decision-making spaces at the national level, and connect local communities to the wider international climate negotiations. By building their own National Youth Statements (NYS), LCOYs contribute directly to the Global Youth Statement while also advocating for climate policy at home and helping generate strong citizen engagement at the local level.
More information about the LCOY can be found here.
Regional youth coordination, built for stronger shared advocacy.
RCOYs are regional level events also hosted by children and young people and endorsed by YOUNGO, with the goal of bringing the inputs and participants children and youth, including those gathered in LCOYs, together in their region, and opening up space for regional advocacy, resulting in the draft process of the Regional Youth Statements (RYS). The RCOYs allow for coordination between children and youth in particular regions and push for common demands between movements from several countries within that region. The RYS also feed directly into the Global Youth Statement (GYS).
The annual global gathering where youth climate strategy comes together.
COY, sometimes referred to as Global COY, stands for the Global Conference of Children and Youth on Climate Change, and is co-organised by YOUNGO with selected local children- and youth-led co-host organisations from the host country of the COP in the corresponding year. It is the flagship annual event under the banner of YOUNGO each year, which started from 2005 and in 2026 will be in its 21st year. It is the main children and youth event prior to the COP, aiming to bring together children and youth to plan and strategise for the upcoming climate negotiations. It typically takes place in the city of the COP in the week prior to its commencement over a period of typically 3 days.
The primary outcome of the conferences is the Global Youth Statement (GYS), a comprehensive policy document that consolidates the voices and demands of children and youth worldwide. The GYS is the culmination of a yearlong process involving Local (LCOY) and Regional (RCOY) conferences, ensuring grassroots representation from all corners of the globe. Formally presented to the COP Presidency and the UNFCCC Secretariat, the GYS serves as the official roadmap for youth advocacy throughout the COP negotiations and remains our central tool for influencing intergovernmental climate policies year-round.
The fundamental objectives that drive our mission and empower youth participation.
Capacity building at COY focuses on equipping youth with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to actively engage in climate action and policy processes. Through targeted sessions, participants strengthen their understanding of climate science, advocacy, leadership, and international negotiations, empowering them to contribute effectively at local, national, and global levels.
Skill-building workshops provide hands-on learning experiences designed to enhance participants’ practical abilities. These sessions cover areas such as public speaking, policy drafting, climate communication, project management, and advocacy strategies, ensuring that youth are well-equipped to drive meaningful climate action.
The Global Youth Statement is a collaboratively developed policy document that reflects the collective voice, priorities, and recommendations of young people worldwide. It is created through inclusive consultations, thematic discussions, and working groups during COY. The document is formally presented to decision-makers at COP, ensuring that youth perspectives are meaningfully represented in global climate negotiations.
COY serves as a preparatory platform for young delegates attending COP. Participants gain insights into negotiation processes, key agenda items, and strategic engagement approaches. This preparation enables youth to participate confidently, coordinate effectively, and amplify their impact within official COP spaces.
Cultural exchange is a vital component of COY, fostering mutual understanding and global solidarity among youth from diverse backgrounds. Through interactive activities, storytelling, and cultural showcases, participants share traditions, perspectives, and experiences, strengthening collaboration and building a united global youth movement for climate action.
Whether you're a first-time advocate or a seasoned negotiator, there is a seat for you at our table. Your voice is the catalyst we need.