Azerbaijan hosts inaugural UN-backed climate conference for young voices

For the first time in its history, Azerbaijan is hosting the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) on Climate Change, a United Nations-affiliated forum that empowers young people to take a leading role in climate action.

The two-day event, LCOY Azerbaijan 2025, serves as a vital precursor to the upcoming COP climate negotiations, providing a platform for youth to voice their perspectives and contribute to global climate policy dialogue, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

In his opening remarks, Elchin Babayev, Rector of Baku State University, underscored the significance of youth participation in global climate governance.

“LCOY is held annually ahead of the COP conferences and makes a direct contribution to these global gatherings,” Babayev stated. “The goal of LCOY-2025 is to raise climate awareness among Azerbaijani youth, cultivate their leadership and analytical capabilities, and prepare them for more meaningful engagement on the international stage.”

According to Babayev, the first day of the conference is dedicated to exploring avenues for youth participation in the global climate movement. The second day will culminate in the adoption of the Azerbaijani Youth Climate Declaration, a collective statement outlining the priorities and demands of the country’s young climate advocates.

He further emphasized that these deliberations are not only instrumental for national progress but also critical in ensuring that Azerbaijani youth are represented in international climate discourse.

Gathering over 150 participants, the conference brings together a diverse array of climate leaders, policymakers, representatives from government bodies, international organizations, and prominent national experts. The event’s comprehensive agenda covers a broad spectrum of pressing environmental and sustainability issues.

“The conference will play a pivotal role in strengthening both theoretical understanding and practical expertise among participants,” Babayev noted.

“Key topics include climate leadership and civic engagement, sustainable agriculture and food security, eco-innovation and the circular economy, biodiversity preservation and ecosystem restoration, resilient infrastructure and water security, and the role of youth in policymaking and governance,” Babayev added.

By Vafa Guliyeva