As COP30 has concluded in Belém, Brazil, Young European Leadership’s delegation has been deeply immersed in the fast-paced world of global climate diplomacy. Across two weeks of negotiations, cultural exchanges and youth-driven advocacy, our delegates have carved out a strong presence – amplifying European youth voices where they matter most.
Below is a combined look into their experiences, as told through the reflections of Mariama Diallo, Alison Wetzelaer and Erik Fonseca Sourander.
COP30 Commences
The opening days of COP30 set a powerful tone. Erik recounts the delegation’s presence at the Opening Ceremony, where they attended speeches by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, COP30 President André Aranha Corrêa do Lago and UNFCCC Executive-Secretary Simon Stiell.
From the outset, the team approached the conference with a three-pillar strategy, Human Rights, Climate Finance, and Negotiations – ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis and the wide spectrum of solutions needed.
This multidimensional approach allowed delegates to navigate everything from side events and youth panels to press conferences and ministerial meetings, ensuring youth perspectives remained firmly on the radar of key decision-makers.
Human Rights, Justice & Youth Voices
As Week 1 progressed, delegates began to settle into the rhythm of negotiations inside the vast Blue Zone – the core of global climate policymaking. Alison highlights their active engagement in discussions surrounding just transition and climate finance, as well as participation in the first-ever Human Rights and Justice Days, a historic moment placing people and justice at the center of COP deliberations.
A key milestone was hosting their first youth roundtable on the role of European youth in EU climate policymaking. Bringing together young representatives from across networks, the roundtable fostered collective reflection and set the stage for developing concrete, youth-driven policy recommendations for EU institutions.
The week concluded with rich cultural exchange at the Finnish–Brazilian Climate Action Night, where delegates connected with local communities and even joined in the traditional Carimbó dance. Saturday saw the team spread across Belém – from the People’s Summit to the Green and Blue Zones – capturing the diversity of climate action taking place across the city.
Youth Power Takes Centre Stage
With the arrival of the second week, Mariam describes a strong thematic emphasis on Children and Youth. This focus created ample space for youth-led events, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among climate advocates from around the world.
A standout moment was the delegation’s meeting with the youngest Member of the European Parliament, where they discussed challenges faced by youth in political spaces, strategies for gaining stronger institutional support, and approaches for building alliances to accelerate climate action.
Our delegates also engaged in a constructive exchange with Romanian Climate Minister, Diana Anda Buzoianu, addressing the urgent need for stable climate finance and deeper EU cooperation.
Another major development was the invitation from European Climate Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, to join a high-level youth roundtable. In preparation, delegates took part in coordination meetings and set three priority themes: Adaptation, Mitigation and Just Transition. They also emphasized the need to elevate marginalized voices, address intersectional impacts of climate change, and bring greater attention to Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).
Beyond the Negotiations
Despite demanding schedules, delegates have also been taking in the vibrant cultural environment of Belém. From exploring Amazonian gastronomy to visiting indigenous exhibitions at the Museu das Amazônias, these experiences help ground their policy work in the lived realities of the region most affected by climate change.
As Mariam notes, the city remains electrified with COP energy – its cultural spaces, markets and communities offering constant reminders of what is at stake.
Youth Energy Driving Climate Ambition
Across their reflections, one theme emerges clearly: the power of youth to shape climate ambition. In conversations with global peers, our delegates consistently encounter the same blend of passion, urgency and hope – a testament to the critical role young people play in holding leaders accountable and pushing for bolder action.
What COP30 delivered – progress and new initiatives
Major push on finance and adaptation support – Parties agreed to triple adaptation finance by 2035 to help vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts.
New “Just Transition” framework – A work programme was adopted to support a fair transition to clean energy economies: providing cooperation, technical support, and safeguards for workers, Indigenous peoples and marginalised communities.
Launch of an “Action Agenda” to accelerate real-world climate solutions – Under the COP30 Presidency, a new global agenda consolidates over 480 existing initiatives into 117 concrete “Plans to Accelerate Solutions,” spanning energy, forests, food systems, cities, health and adaptation.
Greater inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and non-state actors – The conference saw the largest-ever participation of Indigenous leaders. New funding mechanisms for forest conservation award substantial finance to Indigenous communities and local stakeholders.
