National Youth Conference on Climate Change Successfully Concludes

The National Council for Environmental Youth successfully organized the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY Mongolia 2026) on 22 June at the UN House, bringing together young people from across Mongolia to actively engage in discussions on climate change, environmental sustainability, and Mongolia’s future development.

The conference was organized with financial support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation, as well as support from the Australian Government, the European Union-funded "Twin Transition" project implemented by People in Need Mongolia, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

LCOY is a national consultation conference held in countries around the world under YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It serves as an important platform for strengthening young people's knowledge, leadership, and collaboration on climate action while ensuring that their voices are reflected in national and international policymaking processes. The recommendations developed through LCOY contribute to the collective youth position presented at the Conference of Youth (COY) and the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP).

The conference brought together approximately 60 youth representatives from Ulaanbaatar and 18 provinces across Mongolia. Participants discussed pressing issues related to climate change, desertification, and land degradation through eight thematic working groups, resulting in the development of two Youth Position Papers.

Young participants from rural areas also shared their personal experiences and real-life stories of coping with the impacts of climate change in their local communities. They exchanged ideas on locally driven solutions and valuable lessons on building resilience and adapting to climate change.

During the opening ceremony, Tricia Turbold, Country Director of People in Need Mongolia said "Although young people are among those most affected by climate change worldwide, they are also increasingly demonstrating that they are one of the most powerful driving forces behind finding solutions and advancing meaningful change... As Mongolia prepares to host the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), the voices and participation of young people are more important than ever."

Through the European Union-funded Twin Transition Project, People in Need Mongolia aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations working in the fields of environment and youth, enabling them to play a more active role in Mongolia's green and digital transition. The project also seeks to ensure that the voices of civil society and young people are represented in climate policy discussions and decision-making processes at both national and international platforms, including UNCCD COP17.

As Mongolia prepares to host UNCCD COP17 later this year, the conference served as a significant opportunity to connect the ideas, perspectives, and recommendations of young people with national and global climate discussions. The youth recommendations developed during LCOY Mongolia 2026 will contribute to the international joint youth position and help amplify the voices of Mongolia's youth at both UNFCCC COP and UNCCD COP17.