Pacific youth are being invited to take part in shaping a regional climate action vision ahead of COP31 in Türkiye, as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office launches a new youth engagement initiative aimed at strengthening young people’s role in climate decision-making. The program will begin with a series of “talanoa” dialogues in Suva, Fiji, starting 2 June 2026, bringing together youth voices from across the Pacific to co-develop a shared climate agenda.
With nearly 60 percent of the Pacific population under the age of 35, young people are among the most affected by climate change, yet they remain underrepresented in formal climate governance spaces. The initiative seeks to close this gap by creating structured opportunities for youth participation in national, regional, and global climate processes. It also focuses on building advocacy skills, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring youth perspectives are reflected in policy discussions leading up to COP31.
The upcoming talanoa dialogues will gather participants from Pacific Island nations and diaspora communities in an inclusive format designed to promote open conversation and shared problem-solving. Young participants will contribute to a collective climate vision centered on resilience, justice, and sustainability for the region, while also gaining pathways to engage in higher-level forums and pre-COP discussions with policymakers and climate leaders.
The program is co-designed by UNDP alongside regional and youth-led organizations, including the Pacific Youth Council, highlighting the increasing recognition of youth as key stakeholders in climate action. By connecting local Pacific conversations with global negotiations at COP31, the initiative aims to ensure that young people are not only consulted but actively involved in shaping climate policy.
As preparations for COP31 continue, this initiative reflects a broader shift toward more inclusive climate governance, where youth are positioned as co-creators of long-term solutions for a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
