The climate crisis has found its eager advocates at the forefront of global discourse, with young voices leading the charge as attendees gather for COP29, the United Nations climate change summit set to kick off on November 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Nestled conveniently between east and west, Azerbaijan may not be the first place one thinks of when discussing climate change, but its unique geography echoes challenges faced by many nations, making discussions even more relevant.
COP29 is being hailed as the ‘Finance COP,’ placing emphasis on new climate financing goals. But it’s also poised to give small island developing states (SIDS) the platform they desperately need. This summit is especially significant for youth, who are increasingly becoming global stakeholders, as reflected by their representation to tackle the urgent impacts of climate change.
Take Leyla Hasanova, the COP29 Youth Climate Champion from Azerbaijan, and Tyrell Gittens, an environmentalist and journalist from Trinidad and Tobago. They have paired their strengths, each carrying their unique perspectives to the conference. Leyla Hasanova aims to bridge the gap between youth-led organizations and the climate negotiation process, asserting the necessity of ensuring their voices are not only heard but incorporated. “We are the generation facing the dire consequences of climate change, and it is our rights, and our future,” she stated.