LocationsMalaysian youth share aspirations for COP28
Youth says “Aim higher for COP!”
October 30, 2023
Youth says “Aim higher for COP!”
Malaysian youth share aspirations for COP28
The Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia and Youth Environment Living Labs brought together youth advocates and government officials to discuss youth's aspirations ahead of COP28.
Youth calls for accelerated action in just energy transition, support for youth-led initiatives.
NRECC assures its commitment to reflect youth aspirations and needs at COP28.
KBS voices support for young people in climate advocacy efforts.
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 October 2023 — The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Malaysia and Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL), a joint initiative by UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam and UNICEF Malaysia, supported by Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM), co-organised a Youth Aspirations Dialogue on October 28 in the spirit of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which is set to take place on November 30 at the United Arab Emirates.
UNICEF Youth Climate Champion, Nurfatin Hamzah said, “Our voices represent a force for urgency, innovation, and accountability in addressing climate issues. Hopefully, this can inspire leaders and decision-makers to take more ambitious action, and let our presence serve as a reminder that the decisions made today will shape the world for generations to come.”
“I think while high-level policies are important, we also need to bring action down to the local level and recognise the integration of traditional knowledge practices and nature based solutions in youth programmes” said a participant from a youth-led environmental organisation.
The dialogue aimed at outlining Malaysia’s priorities for COP28 from the point of view of the youth, in order to provide concrete and tangible recommendations to the Malaysian delegation to COP28.
Some of the aspirations shared include: just transition to renewable energy, establishing local funding mechanisms for youth groups to implement environmental initiatives, addressing the longer-term need for quality education and skills development, increased promotion of sustainable lifestyles, and support for youth climate advocates who engage with decision-makers at various levels to represent their communities.
The dialogue was held at the Co-labs Co-working space in Naza Tower and attended by 35 local youth climate advocates. The dialogue was co-designed and moderated by YELL and UNICEF Youth Climate Champions. During the event, concrete youth aspirations for COP28 as a result of the dialogue were handed over to a representative from the Climate Change Division of NRECC, Mr. Ahmad Farid Mohammed, by the youth participants themselves. The proceedings were observed by representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam, UNICEF Malaysia, and Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM).
QUOTES BY PARTNERS/ GUEST
Dr. Norhasmat Abdul Aziz from the International Relations Division of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) said, “KBS is proud to support young people in their advocacy efforts. It is inspiring to see so many young people passionate about the environment and climate change.”
Mr. Ahmad Farid from the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) said, “The Ministry applauds the Delegation of the EU to Malaysia and YELL as a joint programme by UNDP and UNICEF, supported by ALAM for creating this opportunity for Malaysian youth to have their voices heard and share their aspirations for COP28.”
Timo Goosmann, Charge d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Malaysia said, “We are excited to see the passion, dedication and knowledge of young people in Malaysia to address climate change. The EU is proud to create this highly specific interface between decision-makers and youth to have an open and constructive discussion."
Niloy Banerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam said, “The perspective of young people is invaluable as we work towards a more sustainable future. Their potential as powerful agents of change must be acknowledged and supported at all levels in shaping the climate agenda and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Sanja Saranovic, Deputy Representative, UNICEF Malaysia said, “There is a great opportunity to integrate the needs and rights of children and young people, including their right to be heard into climate policies and action. This will lead to significant benefits for the health and wellbeing of children and young people, while fostering the resilience of communities more broadly.”
About YELL
YELL stands for Youth Environment Living Labs, a joint programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Malaysia, supported by Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM). It aims to localise climate narratives to address knowledge and resource gaps among local youth and strengthen the ecosystem of actors to support and hold the space for youth to engage as agents of change in environment policy and action.
For more information about YELL and its work, visit: yell.my
Follow YELL on Instagram
About Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia
The Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia works together with Malaysian authorities, businesses, education institutions, cultural institutions and civil society to promote closer ties and cooperation. The EU in Malaysia also supports and collaborates with Malaysian and regional non-governmental organisations working towards achieving Malaysia’s development goals and UN SDGs.
For more information about EU in Malaysia, visit: www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/malaysia
Follow EU in Malaysia on X, Instagram and Facebook
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
For more information about UNDP and its work, visit: www.my.undp.org
Follow UNDP on X and Facebook
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org/malaysia/. Follow UNICEF on X, Instagram and Facebook
About ALAM
ALAM is a national initiative with the mission to transform the mind-set and change the behaviours of Malaysians on the environment. ALAM aims to create awareness, educate on the change and instil whistle blowing culture on environment by collaborating with the public sectors, private sectors and civil societies, in addition to advocating policy by working with and providing a meaningful bridge between industry players and policy makers for improved governance and impactful delivery of initiatives.
For more information about ALAM and its work, follow ALAM on X and Facebook.
Belia berkata“Sasarkan lebih tinggi untuk COP!”
Anak muda berkongsi aspirasi untuk COP28
Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah (EU) ke Malaysia dan Youth Environment Living Labs membawa bersama belia dan pegawai kerajaan untuk membincangkan aspirasi belia menjelang COP28.
Belia menyeru tindakan dalam peralihan tenaga adil, sokongan untuk inisiatif yang dipimpin oleh belia.
NRECC menjamin komitmen dalam mencerminkan aspirasi dan keperluan belia di COP28.
KBS menyokong usaha golongan belia dalam advokasi iklim.
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Oktober 2023 — Dialog Aspirasi Belia pada 28 Oktober merupakan anjuran bersama Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah (EU) ke Malaysia dan Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL) sempena Persidangan Ke-28 Konvensyen Rangka Kerja Perubahan Iklim Pertubuhan Bangsa- Bangsa Bersatu (UNFCCC-COP28) yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 30 November di Emiriah Arab Bersatu.
UNICEF Youth Climate Champion, Nurfatin Hamzah berkata, “Suara kami melambangkan desakan dan keperluan inovasi serta akauntabiliti dalam menangani isu perubahan iklim. Saya berharap agar dialog ini memberi inspirasi kepada pemimpin dan pembuat keputusan untuk mengambil tindakan dan sasaran yang lebih tinggi terhadap isu-isu iklim.”
“Walaupun dasar di peringkat tinggi adalah penting, kita juga perlu membawa tindakan ke peringkat tempatan dan mengiktiraf integrasi pengetahuan tradisional dan penyelesaian berasaskan alam semula jadi dalam program belia,” kata seorang perserta dari sebuah organisasi alam sekitar pimpinan belia.
Dialog ini bertujuan untuk menggariskan keutamaan Malaysia menjelang COP28 dari sudut pandangan belia untuk mengutuskan cadangan yang realistik kepada delegasi Malaysia ke COP28.
Beberapa aspirasi yang dikongsi termasuk peralihan tenaga adil, mewujudkan mekanisme pembiayaan tempatan bagi kumpulan belia untuk melaksanakan inisiatif alam sekitar, menangani keperluan jangka panjang untuk pendidikan berkualiti dan pembangunan kemahiran, peningkatan promosi gaya hidup mampan, dan sokongan untuk penyokong iklim
belia yang terlibat dengan pembuat keputusan di pelbagai peringkat untuk mewakili komuniti mereka.
Dialog ini diadakan di Co-labs Co-working di Naza Tower dan dihadiri oleh 35 penyokong iklim belia. Dialog ini dikendalikan bersama oleh YELL dan UNICEF Youth Climate Champions. Semasa program berlangsung, aspirasi belia sebagai hasil dialog telah diserahkan kepada wakil Bahagian Perubahan Iklim NRECC, Encik Ahmad Farid Mohammed, oleh peserta belia sendiri. Proses tersebut dipantau oleh wakil dari Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah ke Malaysia, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam, UNICEF Malaysia, dan Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM).
PETIKAN OLEH RAKAN KONGSI/HADIRIN
Dr. Norhasmat Abdul Aziz dari Bahagian Hubungan Antarabangsa Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) berkata, “KBS amat berbangga dalam menyokong golongan anak muda dalam usaha advokasi mereka. Adalah satu inspirasi untuk melihat begitu ramai anak muda bersemangat tentang isu alam sekitar dan perubahan iklim.”
Mr. Ahmad Farid dari Bahagian Perubahan Iklim Kementerian Sumber Asli, Alam Sekitar dan Perubahan Iklim (NRECC) berkata, “Kementerian memuji Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah ke Malaysia dan YELL sebagai program bersama UNDP and UNICEF, disokong oleh ALAM kerana mewujudkan peluang kepada belia Malaysia untuk menyuarakan dan berkongsi aspirasi mereka untuk COP28.”
Timo Goosmann, Charge d’Affaires Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah (EU) ke Malaysia berkata, “Kami amat teruja melihat semangat, dedikasi dan pengetahuan golongan belia di Malaysia dalam menangani isu perubahan iklim. EU amat berbangga untuk mencipta platform yang khusus antara pembuat keputusan dan belia bagi mengadakan perbincangan terbuka dan membina."
Niloy Banerjee, Perwakilan Residen UNDP Malaysia, Singapore dan Brunei Darussalam berkata, “Perspektif golongan belia adalah tidak ternilai kerana kami berusaha ke arah masa depan yang lebih mampan,". "Potensi mereka sebagai agen perubahan yang berkuasa mesti diakui dan disokong dalam semua peringkat bagi membentuk agenda iklim dan mencapai Matlamat Pembangunan Lestari.”
Sanja Saranovic, Timbalan Wakil, UNICEF Malaysia berkata, “Terdapat peluang besar untuk mengintegrasikan keperluan dan hak kanak-kanak dan golongan muda, termasuk hak mereka untuk didengari dalam dasar dan tindakan iklim. Ini akan membawa manfaat yang besar untuk kesihatan dan kesejahteraan kanak-kanak dan golongan muda, di samping memupuk daya tahan masyarakat secara lebih meluas.”
Tentang YELL
YELL merupakan Makmal Hidup Belia dan Alam Sekitar, sebuah program yang dijalankan bersama Program Pembangunan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNDP) Malaysia, Singapura & Brunei Darussalam dan Tabung Kanak-Kanak Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNICEF) Malaysia, disokong oleh Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM). Ia bertujuan untuk menyetempatkan naratif iklim untuk menangani jurang pengetahuan dan sumber dalam kalangan belia tempatan dan mengukuhkan ekosistem pelakon untuk menyokong dan memberi ruang kepada belia untuk terlibat sebagai agen perubahan dalam dasar dan tindakan alam sekitar.
Untuk maklumat lanjut tentang YELL and its work, layari: yell.my
Ikuti YELL di Instagram
Tentang Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah (EU) ke Malaysia
Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah (EU) di Malaysia bekerjasama dengan pihak berkuasa Malaysia, perniagaan, institusi pendidikan, institusi kebidayaan dan masyarakat umum untuk menggalakan hubungan dan kerjasama erat. EU di Malaysia juga menyokong dan bekerjasama dengan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan Malaysia dan serantau uang berusaha ke arah mencapai matlamat pembangunan Malaysia dan SDG PBB.
Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai Delegasi Kesatuan Eropah (EU) di Malaysia, lawati: www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/malaysia
Ikuti EU di Malaysia di X, Instagram and Facebook
Tentang UNDP
UNDP adalah peneraju organisasi Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu melawan untuk mengakhiri kemiskinan, ketidakadilan dan perubahan iklim. Dengan bekerjasama dengan rangkaian luas pakar dan rakan kongsi di 170 buah negara, kami membantu negara untuk membina penyelesaian bersepadu dan berkekalan untuk manusia dan planet
Untuk maklumat lanjut tentang UNDP, layari: www.my.undp.org
Ikuti UNDP di X dan Facebook
Tentang UNICEF
UNICEF bekerja di tempat yang paling sukar di dunia dan . Di lebih dari 190 negara dan wilayah, kami melakukan apa sahaja untuk membantu setiap kanak-kanak dan membina masa hadapan yang lebih baik untuk semua tidak kira di mana mereka berada.
Untuk maklumat lanjut tentang UNICEF dan kerja tentang kanak-kanak, layari www.unicef.org/malaysia/.
Ikuti UNICEF di X, Instagram dan Facebook
Tentang ALAM
ALAM adalah inisiatif nasional dengan misi untuk mengubah minda dan tingkah laku rakyat Malaysia terhadap alam sekitar. ALAM bertujuan untuk mewujudkan kesedaran, mendidik tentang perubahan dan menyemai budaya “whistle blowing” mengenai alam sekitar dengan kerjasama dengan sektor awam, sektor swasta dan masyarakat umum, di samping menyokong dasar dengan kerjasama dan merapatkan jurang antara pemain industri dan pembuat dasar untuk urusan pentadbiran yang lebih baik dan penyampaian inisiatif yang berkesan.
Untuk maklumat lanjut tentang ALAM, ikuti ALAM di X dan Facebook .
Group photo of guests at the COP28 Youth Aspirations Dialogue after listening to youth participants presenting their aspirations for COP28. From the left- Puan Wan Faizah Che Din, CEO of Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM), Minister Counsellor Mr. Timo Goosman, Deputy Head of Mission of the Delegation of the EU to Malaysia, Encik Ahmad Farid bin Mohammed, Deputy Undersecretary, Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC), Ms. Sanja Saranovic, Deputy Representative, UNICEF Malaysia, Dr. Norhasmat Abdul Aziz, Undersecretary, International Relations Division of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Datin Sainursalwa Sani, Chief HR officer, Malaysia Development Bank (BPMB), Mr. Mogesh Sababathy, UNICEF Youth Climate Champion, Mr. Niloy Banerjee, Resident Representative, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam.
YELL/2023/Anusha
Attentive audience consisting of youth environmental advocates and students at the COP28 Youth Aspirations Dialogue on 28 October, 2023. The discussion provided an overview of COP and COP28, as well as relevant context for youth participation in COP.
YELL/2023/Anusha
Group photo of youth participants and guests at the COP28 Youth Aspirations Dialogue. The event provided a comprehensive understanding of COP28, its agenda, and the role Malaysia will play in the conference, and successfully solicited input from participants to formulate specific recommendations or youth-driven proposals to be considered by Malaysia's COP28 delegation.
YELL/2023/Anusha
