“Stepping off the plane, I transitioned from the sweltering heat of home to the crunch of frost underfoot, while the sight of Baku’s shimmering skyline awakened my senses. I instantly felt the profound connection between these shifting climates and the urgent need to be vocal about climate change.”  We’re delving into the experience of Raisul Millat Safkat, a young activist who proudly represented Bangladesh at COP-29. Let’s hear more about his journey firsthand from the venue.

“The day before my journey from Dhaka to Baku was incredibly hectic, and a bit of nervousness crept in about how I would navigate this unfamiliar city and find my hostel on my own. But as soon as I went there, I was captivated by the stunning blend of Baku’s natural beauty and its striking architecture, with each corner offering a new sight to behold.”

“As the first rays of the sun reflected off the Caspian Sea, I found myself standing amidst activists, scientists, and policymakers from around the globe. Azerbaijan had turned into a hub for climate action, and I was proud to bring the voice of Bangladesh to this platform,” Raisul shared, his enthusiasm clear from his first day at COP-29.

He spoke of his key focus at COP-29: emphasizing the urgency for climate justice for vulnerable nations like Bangladesh. “We are among the countries least responsible for global emissions but bear some of the greatest burdens. COP-29 is not just an event; it’s a battleground for equity and survival,” he said.

“The slogan for the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), ‘In Solidarity for a Green World,’ reflects the urgent need for global unity in the fight against climate change. It emphasizes how essential collaboration is to build climate resilience and achieve sustainable development. What makes this year’s COP stand out is its focus on youth empowerment.

The historic milestone of COP-29 has been the appointment of Leyla as the first-ever Youth President. It’s a tangible step toward integrating youth leadership and perspectives into the heart of global climate policy discussions.It is considered as loud voice for young people.

 During my conversation with Leyla, we talked about how she is going to become the bridge between youth and policymakers. She also mentioned that while this important position comes with a lot of responsibilities, she is confident that she will be able to do her part.

The program provides young people with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to engage directly in climate policy-making, ensuring that the next generation has a pivotal role in shaping the future of our planet. At COP, young people have the opportunity to collaborate with INGOs, whose efforts often focus on advocating for climate action and implementing sustainable solutions. This exchange of ideas and strategies fosters collaboration, opportunities and networking that allows youth to become proactive. “The energy here is inspiring. It’s a reminder that youth can be the most significant force in the fight against climate change,” Raisul stated.

As a youth activist, Raisul wants to raise awareness among young people about the opportunity to become a Youth Climate Champion (YCC) within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The role of a YCC is crucial in ensuring that youth voices are heard in climate diplomacy and the COP process. A YCC works with youth-led organizations and collaborates with YOUNGO, the UNFCCC’s official children and youth constituency, to promote youth participation in climate action. It’s an important opportunity for young people to have a direct impact on the global climate conversation.

YOUNGO is an open, cost free and accessible space aiming to build a global community of youth working to solve the climate crisis. Anyone up to the age of 35 and interested or engaged in climate action and advocacy is welcome to become a YOUNGO member. The membership process is also very easy where you need to fill up an online form and you can perform voluntary activities offline.

As a YOUNGO member, one can have access to some UNFCCC process insights and amazing opportunities and will be able to learn new skills, from time management and communications to international climate politics and even languages and for sure, the experience is so much fun!

Raisul is one of the grant awardees for the Global Youth Climate Summit (GYCS) 2022 and became a Youth Climate Champion there. The prize money was used to initiate the climate movement in Daudkandi, engaging rural youth in Bangladesh. This is an essential component of establishing a climate profile that gets noticed by the global community. Raisul took his burning dedication all the way to climate and leadership summits in Tanzania and Japan, where he met other changemakers from around the world. He firmly believes that youth are the trailblazers.

Raisul reflected on moments of solidarity with activists from island nations and flood-prone regions, whose stories echoed those of Bangladesh. “Their resilience mirrors ours. And that’s what drives me—to ensure no voice goes unheard.”

However, while the importance of youth participation is emphasized, the financial barriers that prevent young people, particularly from developing countries like Bangladesh, from attending such events cannot be ignored. The high cost of participation becomes an insurmountable obstacle. Food, accommodation, and travel expenses for events of this scale can quickly add up, making it difficult for youth from less affluent backgrounds to take part.

Raisul, who represented Bangladesh at COP29, has been outspoken about the need for more youth-friendly measures at international climate conferences. While he encourages young people to seize the opportunity to attend such global events, he also stresses that the financial burden should not be a barrier to participation.

It’s time for authorities to rethink the structure of international climate conferences to ensure they are truly inclusive and youth-friendly. This includes providing scholarships, subsidies, or other forms of financial support to young delegates, especially those from vulnerable regions. Additionally, organizers should consider lowering the cost of accommodation and meals or offering affordable alternatives to ensure that youth from all backgrounds can participate without the burden of overwhelming expenses. Raisul is also thankful to Agroecology fund for sponsoring him.

The journey of a young activist representing a nation on the frontlines of climate change indeed serves as an inspiration for all. There he exchanged greetings with the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh Dr. Muhammad Yunus , and adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and climate change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

Raisul’s experience is a testament to the power of youth and the imperative for global collaboration. Raisul’s journey at COP-29 motivates us and it serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role youth play in shaping the future of our planet.