In the words of Leyla Hasanova: “I call on all young women changemakers to unite their efforts to accelerate gender equality”

Leyla Hasanova, a 24-year-old climate champion from Azerbaijan, is reshaping young people’s engagement in global climate policy through her role as the COP29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion and Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization (NAMYO). As a young leading advocate for climate action and the Presidency Youth Climate Champion appointed for COP29, she, together with her team, organized a series of events dedicated to the inclusion and meaningful participation of children and youth during COP29 - an annual international climate conference held by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku, during 11-22 November 2024. At the event, she amplified youth voices, ensuring their perspectives were reflected in global climate discussions. Hasanova also brought her vision to the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting, held on October 21–22, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, where progress on women’s rights and gender equality was assessed ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. During the meeting, she highlighted how youth advocacy, gender equality, and climate action are interconnected and essential to closing the gender gap and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this interview, Leyla shared her vision for a greener, more inclusive future, underscoring the power of youth to drive change.

“Children and youth hold the power to push for age-responsive solutions to this global matter. As a young citizen of the world, I am deeply aware that without our voice in this battle, much of the growing risk will fall on our generation as we grow up. Only in full solidarity can we achieve that green world we deserve.

Our generation brings unique strengths to this fight. We are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today, bringing creativity, fresh perspectives, and a sense of urgency that drive immediate, effective action and meaningful participation. Through technology and communication tools, we stay connected with young leaders worldwide, united in our fight for climate action. Together, we have the power to reshape the narrative, pressing for more inclusive and just climate decision-making that reflects what Earth needs and the demands of its citizens.

This transformation begins with education. As the Youth Climate Champion Team, we have established a Summer Camp for Young Educators, bringing together local and international young teachers to learn about green curriculum implementation. This creates a domino effect as these educators pass on their knowledge and skills, nurturing a new generation of young people with expertise in climate change.

Our commitment to youth-led initiatives is already showing remarkable results worldwide. During my recent visit to Kibera, Nairobi, I witnessed inspiring examples of young women leading climate resilience efforts. At the Eco-Fem Initiative, women learn about climate literacy in Kiswahili, while the MTAA Safi Initiative, led by young women from Kibera, creates urban gardens to provide sustainable, high-quality local food for their community.

I believe COP complements this intergenerational collaboration well. Since the Youth Climate Champion role was established last year, we have been working to ensure young people are actively involved in climate decisions. At COP29, we continued to strengthen this bridge between youth and the presidency. Our mission focuses on empowering young people through education and capacity-building, advocating for their inclusion in climate policy, and amplifying youth-led climate action globally. This partnership unites experienced leaders and young climate advocates, creating a space where all generations work together for climate solutions.

Building on this foundation, our mandate emphasizes the importance of youth participation in climate processes, discussions, and policymaking. We are committed to creating academic opportunities and amplifying youth voices within climate discussions, ensuring that young people have a say in shaping their legacy.

Beyond climate action, the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting reinforced a crucial truth: the backlash against gender equality and women’s empowerment requires specific attention and decisive action. I call on all young women changemakers to unite their efforts to accelerate gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, promote full and equal participation in decision-making, and end violence against women and girls.”

The views expressed in this interview are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of UN Women, the United Nations or any of its affiliated organizations