Young people are key to accelerating climate solutions and standing up for the most vulnerable
NEW YORK, 12 August 2025 ¡ª Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres today announced the appointment of fourteen young climate leaders who will form the third cohort of his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. 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 ¨C or nationally determined contributions (NDCs) ¨C 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 ¨C 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 I am proud to announce the launch of the third cohort of my Youth Advisory Group on Climate ¨C 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.
The fourteen members of the new Youth Advisory Group are:
Angela Busheska (North Macedonia) is a climate-tech innovator, AI researcher, and founder. She earned a dual degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science from Lafayette College and is an incoming member of the Harvard Business School Class of 2027. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, climate justice, and youth engagement. At Microsoft Research, Angela invented TerraTrace, a patent-pending system that helps small farmers and governments comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by analysing satellite-based vegetation signals. Beyond research, she founded EnRoute, a youth-led nonprofit supported by Taco Bell and the Shawn Mendes Foundation, which exposes the environmental and human costs of fast fashion. EnRoute has reached over 100,000 people with volunteers in 50+ countries.
Ashley Lashley (Barbados) is a passionate advocate for climate, health, and youth empowerment. As a UNICEF Youth Advocate, CARICOM Youth Ambassador, and former Miss World Barbados, she has committed her life to addressing pressing global challenges. At just 16, she founded Schools Against Non-Communicable Diseases and later launched the HEY Campaign, which has mobilized over 500 climate activists globally. Over the past five years, she has grown the campaign through The Ashley Lashley Foundation into the world¡¯s largest youth-led movement focused on climate and health. Ashley is also the visionary behind Eco Fit Youth, a Caribbean initiative that promotes the 5Rs refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose through wellness and fitness activities for children.
Axel Eriksson (Sweden) is a stubborn optimist with a love for life on Earth and champions environmental justice as an educator, research professional and engineer. He provides capacity building for over 300 young UN climate negotiators from over 60 countries across all inhabited continents as Training Manager of the Climate Youth Negotiators Programme at the Youth Negotiators Academy. In addition, he is a researcher at the intersection of nature, society and culture, with a focus on positive scenarios for the future. Axel has engaged in UN climate and biodiversity negotiations since 2021. He served as UN Youth Delegate for Sweden on climate and biodiversity 2022-2023 where he co-coordinated what became the European Youth Climate Delegates network. He is also a member of Generation Climate Europe.
Charitie Ropati (United States) (Yup'ik & Samoan) is an Indigenous climate justice advocate, Scientist and Water engineer. She has worked on building pipe infrastructure and water infrastructure for rural Alaska Native communities. She is originally from the Native Village of Kongiganak Alaska, a small coastal community in the Southwest region of Alaska and Anchorage, Alaska. Charitie is a recent graduate from the School of Engineering at Columbia University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering on the Water Resources track, and concentrations in Earth and Environmental Engineering & Anthropology. She was awarded Champion for Change by the Center for Native American Youth for her work in education & climate and has been recognized by the World Wildlife Fund as a Conservation Leadership Awardee. She is the North America Regional Facilitator for the Youth Climate Justice Fund.
Farzana Faruk Jhumu (Bangladesh) is a prominent climate justice activist from Dhaka, Bangladesh and a former UNICEF Youth Advocate for Bangladesh (2022-2024). Her dedication to amplifying youth voices and advocating for sustainable solutions has made her a significant figure on the global stage. Her journey into activism began in her first year of university when she co-founded Kaathpencil. Through her interactions with children from climate-affected districts, her focus shifted towards understanding and addressing their suffering. This led her to join Fridays For Future and coordinate actively with Fridays for Future MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas). Farzana currently works as a program coordinator with the People¡¯s Climate Diplomacy Program, a youth-led initiative equipping young climate advocates with tools, training, and support to engage meaningfully in global climate negotiations.
Jabri Ibrahim (Kenya) is a climate and energy policy expert with an extensive network across Africa, connecting youth movements, policymakers, and private sector leaders. Jabri has played a central role in mobilizing African youth for climate action, particularly through the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), one of the continent¡¯s largest youth-led climate networks. Jabri is currently a Chevening Scholar pursuing a masters in Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Sussex. During the summer, Jabri worked as an associate at Africa Climate Energy Nexus (AfCEN), a new transformative, AI-enabled, digital platform designed to amplify and accelerate Africa¡¯s climate and energy response and founded by former Special Envoy of Mission 300 and CEO of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, Joseph Nganga. Previously, he joined the Africa team of the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions having worked at the Stakeholder Engagement Team of the UNFCCC Secretariat and has volunteering experience at Greenpeace Africa & the Kenya Environmental Action Network.
Kantuta Diana Conde (Bolivia) is an Aymara woman from the Plurinational State of Bolivia and advocates for Indigenous Peoples¡¯ rights. She represents young Indigenous perspective as a member of the Red de J¨®venes Ind¨ªgenas de Latino America y el Caribe (RED-LAC) in UN mechanisms such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and UNFCCC. Kantuta served as Regional Focal Point (2022¨C2024) and Co-Chair (2024¨C2025) of the GIYC, where she coordinated youth advocacy across global United Nations processes. She has also served on the Youth Committee of the International Land Coalition, promoting Indigenous Peoples¡¯ self-determination, autonomy and self-governance as integral components of climate action.
Lena Goings (United States) is an environmental justice activist focused on the intersectionality between the climate and affordability crises. She is a core organizer with Fridays For Future NYC, New York¡¯s leading youth-led climate advocacy organization, where she fights for a just energy transition and an end to the era of fossil fuels. She has worked to ensure the divestment of New York City¡¯s $270 billion pension fund from remaining fossil fuel investments, passed landmark state-level legislation to raise $75 billion from fossil fuel companies to fund climate resiliency projects, and lobbied and held leaders accountable for their climate promises in order to work towards high ambition climate action
Marcel Bodewig (Germany) is a climate activist and human rights advocate. He has been active with Amnesty International as well as other civil society organizations. In recent years, he has advanced Amnesty Germanys climate efforts and has led an expert group on climate crisis and human rights. He is passionate about climate justice and especially interested in the intersection of climate and human rights. Marcel has a background in law and holds a master¡¯s degree in public international law.
Okalani Mariner (Samoa) is an artist, poet, environmental activist, and social entrepreneur passionate about amplifying Pacific voices and driving climate justice. As the Co-Founder and Operations Manager of Onelook Studio¡ªSamoa¡¯s first coworking and creative hub¡ªshe leads initiatives that merge professional development with creative empowerment. Through hybrid training, community events, and culturally grounded workshops, Okalani fosters spaces for young professionals to collaborate, innovate, and thrive. Her climate advocacy is deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge and Pacific resilience. As the Samoa Country Coordinator for 350 Pacific Climate Warriors, Okalani leads grassroots campaigns addressing the frontline impacts of the climate crisis while advocating for climate justice on regional and global platforms.
Sibusiso Mazomba (South Africa) is a climate justice activist, advocate, and researcher. He currently leads youth advocacy at the African Climate Alliance, where he drives initiatives to ensure youth are meaningfully included in decisions that affect them. He has mobilized young people across Eastern and Southern African communities through campaigns, dialogues, and solidarity gatherings, in the interest of grassroots climate action. He played a pivotal role in the #CancelCoal campaign, which successfully blocked new coal procurement in South Africa¡¯s energy plans in 2024 and won the Mail & Guardian Greening the Future Award. As a junior negotiator for South Africa¡¯s UNFCCC delegation since COP26, he has contributed to negotiations on adaptation, oceans, and loss and damage, representing youth and national interests at the global stage.
Txai Surui (Brazil) is an Indigenous climate justice activist and the founder and coordinator of the Movement of Indigenous Youth of Rond?nia. She is the daughter of two veteran land defenders in the struggle for Indigenous rights, and one of the most internationally recognized among the current generation of young Brazilian climate activists. She is a young Indigenous leader of the Paiter Suru¨ª people, who founded the Indigenous Youth movement of Rond?nia with the intention of articulating and strengthening the Indigenous youth of her state. She coordinates the Associa??o de Defesa Etnoambiental - Kanind¨¦, an organization that has been working for over 30 years, currently operating in Rond?nia, southern Amazonas and northwest Mato Grosso with more than fifteen different ethnic groups.
Zagy Berian (Indonesia) is a social impact leader focused on empowering youth to play an active role in the sustainability sector. As the founder of the Society of Renewable Energy (SRE), he has inspired and mobilized a broad network of young people across Indonesia. He serves as Regional Facilitator for the Youth Climate Justice Fund in South Asia, where he supports grassroots climate justice efforts led by youth. Internationally, he contributes to the youth engagement strategy of the G20 Energy Transition Working Group in collaboration with Indonesia¡¯s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. He is also involved with the B20 Task Force on Energy, Sustainability, and Climate, and serves as Chief of the Southeast Asia Youth Forum on Energy under ASEAN
Zuzanna Borowska (Poland) is a social activist and climate advocate, dedicated to the values of dialogue, cooperation, and democracy. She is a graduate of Political Science from the University of Amsterdam. Zuzanna is the founder and President of the Open Dialogues International Foundation and the main coordinator of the Open Dialogues on Climate Change - a global initiative which involves organizing climate dialogues between different stakeholders in 50+ countries. Zuzanna is a member of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of UNFCCC. She was the Head Organizer of the first two editions of the Polish Local Conference of Youth (LCOY Poland) in 2019 and 2021 and became of one of the European Climate Pact Ambassador since 2022.
The members of the Youth Advisory Group were selected from a large pool of candidates nominated by respected youth and climate organizations from around the world.
Today¡¯s announcement is part of the UN¡¯s actions and efforts to create more opportunities for genuine and meaningful youth engagement in climate action in terms of diversity, inclusiveness, empowerment, and impact.
For more further information or interview requests (subject to availability), please contact:
Esther Agbarakwe | UN Climate Action Team | esther.agbarakwe@un.org
Alexandra Kringas | UN Department of Global Communications | roncoa@un.org
Quotes from the Youth Advisory Group members
¡°Being part of the Secretary-General¡¯s Youth Advisory Group lets me share climate-tech innovations, from satellite data to AI, into global conversations and push for solutions that protect vulnerable communities.¡± - Angela Busheska (North Macedonia)
"To serve in this role is to carry the Caribbean¡¯s cry for climate justice and to hold the world accountable for the debt it owes to SIDS." - Ashley Lashley (Barbados)
¡°It generously provides a space to convey the insights, experiences and demands that a diversity of young people have entrusted me with on the journey towards environmental justice.¡± - Axel Eriksson (Sweden)
¡°Being a member of the Secretary-General¡¯s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change is an incredible honor and responsibility¡ªcoming from the Arctic, where the region is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, I carry the voices of Indigenous communities who have always protected our lands, ice, waters, and ways of life. This role allows me to ensure that our knowledge systems and lived experiences shape global climate solutions rooted in justice, Indigenous rights, self-determination, and sovereignty.¡± - Charitie Ropati (United States)
¡°Â鶹´«Ã½ Secretary-General has been a motivation for the climate movement in the face of climate denial and injustice around the world. The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change would mean that I can get a chance to advocate for climate leadership from the local community in Bangladesh towards the international policy. This platform would allow me to ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly children and youth, are not just heard but are central to the UN's climate action agenda¡±- Farzana Faruk Jhumu (Bangladesh)
¡°Being nominated to the YAG by my peers in Africa¡¯s climate movement is an honour and a responsibility that I take very seriously. I intend to use this role as a microphone for my peers and to actively support and elevate the critical work happening on the ground across the continent.¡±- Jabri Ibrahim (Kenya)
¡°This opportunity to reaffirm the territorial rights of Indigenous Peoples and the vital role of our knowledge systems as a pathway to climate justice. This is a call to defend and promote Suma Qama?a, living well in harmony with Mother Earth.¡±- Kantuta Diana Conde (Bolivia, Plurinational State of)
¡°The Secretary-General¡¯s Youth Advisory Group is an opportunity to bring my generation's perspectives and priorities into larger decision-making spaces where our passion, optimism, and unwavering commitment to climate justice can truly make a difference.¡±- Lena Goings (United States)
¡°The climate crisis is a human rights crisis that affects everyone, but not everyone equally. As part of the Youth Advisory Group, I look forward to highlight youth perspectives on climate justice.¡±- Marcel Bodewig (Germany)
"Being part of this group allows me to bring the voices of my people to the table, who are facing the brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to it. It¡¯s deeply important to me because I witness the impacts on my island every day and feel a responsibility to ensure our challenges and solutions are heard. This role gives me the opportunity to advocate for our future and contribute to shaping a more sustainable and equitable world." - Okalani Mariner (Samoa)
¡°This is not just an appointment but a calling in this critical decade for action on climate change¡ªto bring the realities, stories and experiences of those bearing the weight of an increasingly warming world into the rooms where the future is decided; a beacon that hope is rising from the very places the world once chose to ignore.¡±- Sibusiso Mazomba (South Africa)
¡°To me, it means driving remarkable climate action through collaboration while ensuring every voice is heard in shaping a more just and sustainable global future¡± - Zagy Berian (Indonesia)
¡°To me, being a member of the Youth Advisory Group means joining forces beyond borders, limitations, and generations to step up the fight for climate justice together. It means taking my mission of addressing climate change through dialogue to a whole new level, inspired by the power of youth action and acting to inspire.¡±- Zuzanna Borowska (Poland)
