The Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) made a significant impact at COP29, driving youth-focused climate initiatives and fostering inclusive dialogue across major platforms. Through strategic collaborations, GAYO amplified the voices of young climate leaders, particularly from Africa, while addressing pressing global challenges.
Empowering Youth Leadership at the Children and Youth Pavilion
As a key strategic partner, GAYO played an instrumental role in shaping the vision and success of the Children and Youth Pavilion. By focusing on themes such as climate justice, youth-led solutions, and intergenerational equity, GAYO ensured that the pavilion’s 80+ events reflected the priorities of young climate activists globally and coordinated activities successfully.
This engagement provided meaningful platforms for youth participation and also strengthened collaborations with international organizations, including the Youth Climate Champions (PICC) and Greenpeace, reinforcing GAYO’s commitment to elevating African youth voices in global climate discourse.
Shaping Food Systems Resilience at the Action on Food Hub
As a youth co-host with YPARD to the Action on Food Hub, GAYO drove conversations on the intersection of food systems and climate resilience. Through key sessions such as “Investing in Tomorrow: Youth-Driven Innovations to Reduce Food Loss and Waste” and “Youth-Led Soil Health Solutions for a Resilient Planet”, GAYO highlighted the role of young innovators in transforming food systems. These sessions emphasized sustainable agriculture, circular food systems, and integrated water management, fostering collaboration between youth delegates and stakeholders while advancing actionable strategies to tackle food insecurity.
Advancing Equity and Innovation at the Resilience Hub
As a partner to the Resilience Hub, GAYO advanced discussions on food and water systems’ resilience, co-hosting two transformative events. The session “Innovation and Technology for Improving the Resilience of Food and Water Systems” explored cutting-edge solutions, while “Just Transformation of Food Systems” highlighted the importance of equitable transitions and workforce development in addressing systemic challenges. Collaborating with partners like AGWA and Solinftec, GAYO underscored the need for socially just, innovative approaches to tackle food and water insecurity, fostering global dialogue on sustainable and inclusive climate solutions.
GAYO’s strategic engagements at COP29 reinforced our leadership in youth-led climate action, championing African youth, building partnerships, and shaping a sustainable and resilient future.
