Climate Summit: Bangladeshi children warn against climate change, urge urgent action

Bangladeshi children at a recent Children's Climate Summit have sounded a note of warning against climate change and called for urgent action in this regard.

The Summit culminated in the adoption of a Children's Climate Declaration, which was presented to national leaders in the spirit of intergenerational solidarity, a UNICEF press release said today.

In the Declaration, the children called for decision-makers to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; to invest in education, training and a green economy; and to protect children against the impacts of climate change.

Over one million children were engaged in preparations for the Children's Climate Summit as part of the UNICEF Generation Parliament digital platform, which connects children to policies and decisions that impact their future.

The virtual summit, hosted by UNICEF, brought together 300 "child parliamentarians" representing all constituencies in Bangladesh to debate climate issues, policies, and actions to safeguard their future.

"Our country is on the frontline of climate change. Sea level rise, erosion, pollution and extreme weather jeopardise our survival, wellbeing and future. Children must be consulted on policies and decisions that impact our future. There is no time to lose," said Ridwana Islam (15), a participant from Dhaka.

"The climate emergency requires bold leadership as we battle against the clock. We must look to children and young people for inspiration, courage and vision. UNICEF works to facilitate Bangladeshi children to be part of a societal decision-making process on climate change-related issues as they directly impact their future," said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh.

The Summit was chaired by Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Member of Parliament (MP) and President of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, and was attended by child climate activists, parliamentarians and climate stakeholders, as well as by the representatives of government, civil society and the development community.

"Today children have taught us that our youngest citizens should play key role in shaping climate policy. It will be my pleasure if I could make a commitment to the Children's Climate Declaration in the near future at the Parliament," said the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Fazle Rabbi Miah.

The virtual Summit was the first gender-equal child parliament in Bangladesh with a 50 percent representation of girls and 50 percent representation of boys, aged 13 to 17 years. The Summit connected young climate activists across geographical and social divides.

Together, the children delivered a clear message to Bangladeshi leaders: "Our futures are intertwined and our planet is shared. We must act now to confront the climate crisis and we, the children, must be part of the solution."