Young climate activists have called for the real-life experiences and demands of people affected by and vulnerable to climate change to be incorporated into national policies. Ahead of the COP31 climate conference in Türkiye, more than 100 young climate activists unveiled the “Bangladesh Youth Position 2026,” outlining 20 demands.

The position paper, prepared based on the views of young people from all 64 districts and various climate-vulnerable marginalised communities, was handed over to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Tuesday.

The document was unveiled at the closing ceremony of the four-day “Bangladesh Youth COP 2026,” organised by ActionAid Bangladesh and Brighters at an auditorium in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

The charter prioritises seven key areas: climate mitigation, locally led adaptation, climate-related loss and damage and equitable financing, technology transfer, climate education and awareness, gender equality and social inclusion, and youth leadership in policymaking.

The theme of this year’s conference was “From Paris to Antalya: A Decade of Climate Commitments and Realities.”

According to the organisers, the position paper was developed after gathering views from young people across all 64 districts as well as various climate-vulnerable marginalised communities. Information was collected through focus group discussions, storytelling sessions, participatory mapping and community scorecards. The document also incorporates the views of affected people from seven specifically vulnerable areas and findings from three years of research covering six climate-risk clusters.

The first session of the closing day, titled “Facing the Frontliners: CSOs and Experts,” featured Supreme Court lawyer and CCJ-B Director M Hafizul Islam Khan, CPRD Chief Executive Md Shamsuddoha, UNDP’s Sharmin Islam, UN Women’s Dilruba Sharmin and representatives from marginalised communities. The session was moderated by Md Nazmul Ahsan, Youth, Resilience and Climate Justice Lead at ActionAid Bangladesh.

At the “Children’s Voice on Climate” talk show, street children and children from Happy Homes shared their concerns about the impacts of climate change and their future. The session was moderated by Ahmed Reza.

Meanwhile, 19 young participants of the Climate Policy Negotiation Fellowship took part in a mock negotiation modelled on an international climate conference. They discussed and practised negotiations on loss and damage, climate finance, a just transition and Bangladesh’s strategic position at COP31.

During the afternoon session, “In Conversation with Diplomats,” diplomatic representatives reviewed the position paper prepared by the young participants. The discussion highlighted the need for active youth engagement in addressing the climate crisis, international cooperation and greater inclusion of local communities’ experiences in policymaking.

Dr Fahmida Khanam, acting secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said the government alone cannot address the global climate crisis. Highlighting the important role of young people in protecting the environment, she stressed their contribution to identifying pollution, protecting biodiversity, raising awareness about climate risks and engaging communities.

Kazi Ehsanul Haque, director general of the Climate, Environment and Transboundary Water Resources Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said decisions being taken on climate issues today will affect the future of young people. Therefore, he stressed the need to involve youth more actively in climate policy and decision-making processes.

Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle said people across the Indo-Pacific region are already experiencing the impacts of climate change through rising sea levels, extreme weather and displacement. She stressed the need for governments, local communities, young people and affected populations to work together for effective climate action.

Anders B. Carlsen, deputy head of mission at the Danish Embassy, said climate change knows no borders. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts ranging from local communities to international policymakers.

Maldivian High Commissioner Shiuneen Rashid also stressed the importance of placing young people at the centre of climate action.

Nizam Uddin, a youth representative from the marginalised community of Hatiya in Noakhali, described the harsh realities faced by island communities. He said storms and waterlogging often cut off transportation and healthcare services, putting pregnant women and emergency patients at serious risk. He called for basic services and local protection to be prioritised in climate adaptation policies.

The discussion, moderated by ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir, also emphasised the need to raise the demands of Bangladesh’s marginalised communities on the global stage.

At the closing session, Brighters Chairperson Fariha Ami presented the “Bangladesh Youth Position 2026” on behalf of the young participants. The position paper was formally handed over to Dr Fahmida Khanam, acting secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The closing session was chaired by Ibrahim Khalil Al-Zayed, chairperson of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society. Organisers expressed hope that the recommendations made by the young participants would be presented at COP31 as part of Bangladesh’s policy positions.

The four-day programme concluded with a cultural presentation titled “Youth Aspirations.”

The programme began on September 19 with a march from Police Plaza to Global Platform Bangladesh. The following day featured thematic discussions, while an international online discussion (webinar) was held on September 21. The main and closing conference was held on Tuesday.