The Asia-Pacific Youth Forum on Climate Change and Mountain Development, organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), highlighted the role of youth in providing input to UNFCCC climate negotiations and to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
17 August 2011: The Asia-Pacific Youth Forum on Climate Change and Mountain Development, which was attended by 43 youth from 17 countries in the Asia Pacific region, launched the “Asia Pacific Youth Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainable Development” and the “Asia Pacific Youth Position Paper on Rio+20.”
The Forum discussed capacity building for youth, including leadership development and preparation for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). It convened in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 8-12 August 2011, and launched the Declaration and Position Paper on 12 August 2011 to mark International Youth Day (IYD) and the conclusion of the International Year of Youth (IYY 2010-2011).
ICIMOD previously organised a 21-day “South and Central Asia regional virtual consultation on youth perspectives on Rio+20,” in May 2011, to assess progress made since Rio 1992, identify issues and develop recommendations in the region with youth input. The Declaration and the Position Paper were based on both the virtual consultation and the Forum.
Organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through its Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN), the Forum was supported by global and regional initiatives, including Rio+Twenties, Road to Rio+20, UNCSD Youth Caucus, 350.0rg, Activating Talent in Sustainability (ACTIS), Adaptation Knowledge Platform (AKP), Asia and the Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), Eco-Singapore, Peace Child International, Schumacher College UK, Sustainability Asia and UNEP TUNZA. [ICIMOD Press Release]