The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) hosted a Youth Circle on solutions to address climate change during the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The Youth Circle was attended by international climate leaders including His Excellency Salaheddine Mezouar, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP22 President, His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, The Honorable Catherine McKenna, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, His Excellency Dr. Jonathan Pershing, United States Special Envoy for Climate Change, and His Excellency Adnan Amin, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). 

Youth Circles, a UAE initiative led by Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs were established in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to inspire sustainable youth-centric dialogue across sectors. They are an interactive platform for youth to meet and discuss opportunities and challenges facing today’s world, to develop innovative and practical solutions.

“Youth Circles proved to be an effective platform for youth to engage with international leaders and contribute to solving the world’s most pressing global issues, such as climate change and sustainability,” Her Excellency Al Mazrui said. “The COP22 Youth Circle in Marrakesh exemplifies how the UAE is interacting with youth all over the world and enabling them to lead in the 21 century.”

The COP22 Youth Circle follows two other Youth Circles hosted by MoCCAE earlier this year, including in New York at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and in Sharjah at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre.