Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of fourteen young climate leaders who will form the third cohort of his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change on August 12th. The Group provides the Secretary-General with practical and outcome-focused advice, diverse youth perspectives and concrete recommendations to support the United Nations' work to accelerate global action to tackle the climate crisis.

The announcement, on International Youth Day, comes at a pivotal moment for climate action. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, and it is also the year when all countries must prepare and submit their new national climate plans - or nationally determined contributions (NDCs) – aligned with 1.5C.

With increasingly more intense and frequent climate disasters and progress towards limiting temperature rise to 1.5C and achieving climate justice far from sufficient, it is even more crucial that young people continue leading the charge –raising their voices, holding leaders accountable, and making change happen. Recognising the critical importance of youth voices in climate action and the contributions of previous Youth Advisory Group members, the Secretary-General has expanded this cohort from seven to fourteen members given the concerning global trend of shrinking civic space and funding limitations that are putting young activists at risk and hindering meaningful youth engagement in climate efforts.

”Young people’s fearless advocacy has been pivotal in the fight against the climate crisis. This is why Iam proud to announce the launch of the third cohort of my Youth Advisory Group on Climate –and to expand its membership from 7 to 14. That means more space for young voices at the table, more space for youth leadership and more space to shape climate action. To young people everywhere, don’t give up,”said the Secretary-General.

The Group includes representatives from across all  regions of the world, with a variety of identities, experiences, perspectives, and expertise. To capture the diversity of the global youth climate movement, members will be expected to consult widely across youth networks and include outside perspectives in their advice to the Secretary-General.