Many challenges stand in the way of advocates of climate, environment and biodiversity issues in the MENA Regions, which necessitates youth organizations and networks and civil society organizations to unite their efforts to achieve a safe future free from natural disasters including sustainable development.
Perhaps the matter is a little different in the Arab region, where the presence, representation and involvement of young hands in such fundamental issues still seems unimportant, and this was embodied in the seventeenth youth conference COY 17, held between 3-6 November before the start of the seventh Climate Conference of the Parties.
The twenty-seventh COP 27, where the voice of Arab youths in the negotiations, discussion sessions, and side events that were held was subdued, and the reasons and obstacles are many, most notably the limited access to opportunities among Arab youth, the scarcity of support from governments and their weak beliefs in their abilities, and the funding obstacle may seem a barrier between them and making their voices heard in such international forums.
Despite all this, a number of relevant youth and civil society organizations have registered a presence through their delegates, such as the Arab Youth Sustainable Development Network (AYSDN), which has adopted the delivery of many youth messages by involving Arab youths from different countries in the Arab region, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen and Morocco to present their visions and experiences.
Previous articles on climate action, promotion of climate justice, strategies for mobilizing youth participation, and reviewing inspiring experiences of youth leaders who had an effective role.
The Arab Youth Sustainable Development Network (AYSDN) is well aware and even believes in the importance of the active role played by young bloods in achieving the goals of sustainable development in the Arab world and globally.
Therefore, it has become a platform for youths’ voices in MENA Regions.
It has also worked to raise awareness of issues of sustainable development and climate action through discussion sessions.
With civil society organizations, experts and decision-makers from different countries of the world, messages and awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of investing in youth-led initiatives in the MENA Regions and reviewing visions and challenges and how they can be addressed according to pre-studied strategies.
Based on the articles contained in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which referred to work to empower the climate, the articles stressed the importance of training, public awareness and teamwork, which is what the Arab Youth Sustainable Development Network (AYSDN) seeks to achieve through its plans and programs targeting youth segments in the MENA Regions, and perhaps its participation In the work of the 27th Climate Conference of the Parties (COP 27), an important step was taken to build capacities and enhance Arab youth experiences to confront climate change.