"Children and young people hold the potential to lead transformative climate solutions,” UNICEF Says at Climate Summit
Recommends that climate policies focus on protecting the most vlunerable
UNICEF has called for urgent, child-centered climate action as Liberia grapples with rising unemployment, shrinking future opportunities for young people, and worsening climate impacts across the country.
Speaking at the National People’s Climate Justice Summit, the UNICEF Chief of Child Protection, Hellen Nyangoya to Liberia warned that children and young people in the Global South, including Liberia, are among the most vulnerable to climate change and must be equipped with the tools, resources, and platforms needed to drive large-scale solutions.
“Children and young people hold the potential to lead transformative climate solutions,” the UNICEF Representative said. “They bring lived experiences, innovation, and entrepreneurial drive that can shape effective programs and policies.”
The Representative highlighted Liberia’s growing climate risks, including increasingly erratic and intense rainfall that has resulted in floods and landslides. These events, she noted, have damaged water and sanitation systems, contaminated drinking water, and increased the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.
According to projections cited during the address, cholera cases could increase significantly over the coming decades if urgent climate and public health actions are not taken.
To address these risks, UNICEF Liberia, in collaboration with civil society organizations, the National Children’s Forum, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recently conducted a Climate Landscape Analysis for Children in Liberia. The analysis aims to strengthen climate resilience and protect the country’s most vulnerable children from climate-related threats. The report will be made publicly available once finalized.
The UNICEF Representative commended the Government of Liberia for demonstrating leadership on climate action at both regional and global levels. Liberia is among a small number of countries worldwide whose third generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) includes a dedicated chapter and indicators focused on children and young people.
She also noted that Liberia now has a climate rationale for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programming and recently joined other nations at COP30 in signing the Declaration on Children, Young People, and Climate Action.
“These milestones demonstrate Liberia’s commitment to protecting children and young people in the face of climate change,” she said, adding that UNICEF is proud to support the government, civil society, and young people as a key partner.
Looking ahead, UNICEF urged summit participants to take four critical actions: invest in renewable energy to power schools, health facilities, and safe water systems while creating green jobs for young people; strengthen disaster risk reduction to prevent climate-induced disruptions to essential services; ensure that climate financing discussions are child-sensitive; and align all climate actions with child rights, in line with Liberia’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The UNICEF Representative concluded by encouraging children and young people to continue leading climate advocacy efforts and called for collective action to build a just, green, and climate-resilient Liberia.
“Together, we can build a climate-resilient Liberia where every child has access to clean water, sanitation, quality education, and a healthy environment to grow and thrive,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to partners including the EPA, UNDP, civil society organizations, line ministries, and the children of Liberia for their collaboration, wishing participants a productive and impactful two-day dialogue.