RCOY Asia-Pacific 2026 concludes with youth priorities headed for COP31
A four-day Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) Asia-Pacific 2026, one of the largest youth climate conferences in the region, concluded at the CCDB Climate Centre in Gazipur on 6 October 2026 (Tuesday), with participants looking at how climate-related commitments, finance, transition and solutions translate into practice.
Co-organised by 12 youth-led organisations from across the Asia-Pacific region, the conference’s sessions in Bangladesh were hosted by the BRAC University’s Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) and non-governmental organization SEECTO Bangladesh.
Hosted in Bangladesh for the first time and recognized under YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the conference was held under the motto "From Mountains to Sea: United for Climate Justice".
The conference brought together more than 500 participants from 28 countries, including youth, climate activists, researchers, development workers, policymakers, and representatives of international and development organizations, to BRAC University.
The program featured panel discussions, workshops, COP-style simulations, networking, cultural activities, and over 50 exhibition and innovation stalls.
Sessions covered climate finance, youth leadership, employment, energy, environmental protection, and the participation of women and marginalised communities.
The program also served as a simulation-based preparation for COP31, bringing together dialogue, negotiation, learning and practical experience.
Delegates jointly drafted a Regional Youth Statement, which will be taken forward to COY21 and COP 31 in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20.
Chief guest AKM Sohel, UN Wing Chief, Economic Relations Division, spoke about the place of young people in decisions on climate and development.
“Every dollar we take a loan, the youth have to pay back in the future. If you have the stake in the dollar, you should have the voice. Every single utterance has to be based on evidence, data and science,” he said.
Miguel Mateos Muñoz, Chief, Communication and Advocacy, UNICEF in Bangladesh, urged the young delegates to look beyond those present.
“As you take the Regional Youth Statement to COP31, ask yourselves: whose voice is still missing? Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0 puts children and young people at the centre of climate action,” he said.
“Now comes the real test: implementation. As you step onto the global stage, carry with you the realities, demands and hopes of those who cannot be in the room, and make sure no child is invisible in the decisions shaping their future,” he added.
Dr Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus and Advisor of C3ER, encouraged young people to build their own capacity, understand policy processes and ground their work in evidence.
“Learn the language of policy. Youth advocacy needs to be evidence based and data driven,” he said.
Dr. Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said Bangladesh could serve as a bridge for climate cooperation among South and Southeast Asian nations.
Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest. Dr. David Dowland, Registrar of BRAC University, delivered the welcome address, and Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani, Director of C3ER, presented the keynote paper.
The conference further advanced BRAC University's efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships).
