Did you know that young people constitute one of the largest demographic groups in the Middle East and North Africa region?

Youth represent a pivotal force in confronting the challenges of climate change. However, real impact does not depend on their numbers alone, but on the extent of their preparation to participate in the climate dialogue, create solutions, and contribute to shaping environmental policies. This is where the role of the Regional Conference of Youth on Climate Change for the Middle East and North Africa (RCOY MENA) emerges as one of the most prominent platforms that contribute to building youth capacities and enhancing their participation in climate action.

First: What is the RCOY MENA Conference?

RCOY MENA is a regional conference that brings together youth interested in climate issues from various countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It aims to promote dialogue, exchange experiences, and empower youth to participate in discussing the environmental challenges facing the region.

The conference is organized by local organizing committees in accordance with YOUNGO standards and guidelines, the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The conference also represents an important milestone within the youth participation system in climate action, as its outcomes are compiled into the Regional Youth Statement, which reflects youth priorities and recommendations and contributes to conveying their vision to international platforms concerned with climate issues.

One of the recent editions of the conference, hosted by the Jordanian capital Amman, witnessed broad participation from the region's youth, providing a space for exchanging experiences and building regional partnerships among participants.

Second: How Does RCOY MENA Contribute to Preparing Climate Leaders?

The conference's impact is not limited to its days of convening; it extends to developing participants' skills and building their capacities through a set of integrated pathways.

1. Building Cognitive and Negotiation Capacities
2. The conference provides workshops and training sessions covering topics such as climate policies, energy, adaptation to climate change impacts, and international negotiation mechanisms. This helps participants understand the climate action system more deeply and qualifies them for active participation in discussions related to these issues.
3. Participating in Formulating Youth Recommendations
4. One of the conference's most prominent outcomes is the preparation of the Regional Youth Statement, which includes a set of recommendations reflecting the priorities of the region's youth, such as climate justice, water resource management, climate change-related migration, and environmental education.
5. This experience gives participants the opportunity to contribute to discussing issues and formulating recommendations collectively, thereby enhancing their understanding of dialogue and policy-making mechanisms.
6. Building a Regional and International Network of Relationships
7. The conference brings together youth, experts, and representatives of environmental institutions and initiatives from various countries in the region, creating opportunities for exchanging experiences, learning about successful models, and building partnerships that may later evolve into joint initiatives or projects serving climate action.
8. Promoting Inclusivity and Representation of Different Groups
9. The conference is keen to encourage the participation of diverse groups of youth, including women, local communities, and youth in areas most affected by climate change. This enhances the diversity of perspectives and ensures broader representation of the challenges facing the region.
10. Enhancing Participation in International Climate Dialogue
11. The conference contributes to preparing youth to participate in regional and international climate dialogue tracks. Its outcomes also support the representation of youth priorities within youth participation mechanisms linked to climate conferences, thereby strengthening the presence of their voices in international discussions.

Third: How Does This Experience Translate into Actual Leadership?

The impact of participating in the conference can be summarized through a simple equation:

Knowledge Building + Skill Development + Dialogue Participation + Network Expansion = A Young Person Capable of Leading Impactful Climate Initiatives.

Participants gain not only theoretical knowledge but also develop communication, teamwork, and policy-thinking skills, enabling them to launch initiatives within their communities, participate in training programs, or contribute to environmental projects at both local and regional levels.

Conclusion

Climate leadership is not built overnight; it is a journey that begins with learning, evolves through participation, and solidifies through practice and fieldwork.

RCOY MENA represents an important opportunity for youth wishing to develop their knowledge, build their capacities, expand their networks, and contribute to supporting climate action in the region.

If you are interested in environmental and climate issues, your participation in one of the upcoming editions of the conference could be a first step toward contributing to building a more sustainable future and transforming your interest in climate issues into tangible impact within your community.