At COP31, PYCC Sally Higgins inaugurates the Children and Youth Pavilion next to COP30 PYCC Marcele Oliveira and CYP’s institutional partners.
Download: DSCF5590.JPG. Copyright: Children and Youth Pavilion
As COP31 begins, the Children and Youth Pavilion marks five consecutive years as the only fully youth-led space at COP.
Antalya, Türkiye, 11 November 2026 – As COP31 gets underway in Antalya, the Children and Youth Pavilion (CYP) marks a significant milestone: five consecutive years as the only fully youth-led space within the official UN Climate Change Conference. Bringing together young people, policymakers, civil society representatives and other climate stakeholders, the Pavilion opens its doors once again as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and meaningful youth participation in global climate discussions.
The Pavilion's opening ceremony brought together prominent voices from the climate and youth movements, including Sally Higgins and Marcele Oliveira, the COP31 and COP30 Presidency Youth Climate Champions, respectively, alongside representatives of institutional partners such as UNICEF, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the British Council. Frontline activists also took the stage, delivering powerful statements that highlighted the urgency of climate action and the importance of placing the experiences and demands of those most affected by the climate crisis at the centre of global discussions.
Brianna Fruean, an environmental activist from Samoa working at the intersection of ocean and climate issues and a Pacific Advisor to the Presidency Youth Climate Champion Team, attended the opening ceremony and emphasised that:
“It’s of utmost importance to have a Pavilion like this”
Speaking about youth participation in the negotiations, she added:
“If there’s no youth participation in spaces such as COP, there’s no sustainability for our movement, because what is decided at this conference today is what the youth of tomorrow will need to be implementing”
“So how do you make plans without the implementers?”
At the Children and Youth Pavilion, representatives from YOUNGO promote the Global Youth Statement 2026.
Download: DSCF5687.JPG. Copyright: Children and Youth Pavilion.
Making sure that youth demands are on the agenda
At the Children and Youth Pavilion, young people meet with policymakers and negotiators to discuss their realities and demands, bringing their perspectives into the conversations taking place at COP31. To enable this exchange, the Pavilion organises dedicated side events which amplify powerful demands of young people.
We warmly invite journalists to follow our programme and hear first-hand from the young activists, advocates and negotiators who are actively shaping COP31 and our common future. The programme features contributions from organisations such as the UNDP, UNICEF, Save the Children, UNOPS and the World Meteorological Organization, alongside numerous youth-led organisations whose members are at the forefront of climate action and whose voices deserve to be heard.
The CYP gathers institutional partners and young COP representatives for the opening ceremony.
Download: DSCF5460.JPG. Copyright: Children and Youth Pavilion
In addition to its side events, the CYP is also represented by 10 spokespeople from 14 to 31 years old, with diverse expertise, dedicated to advancing different negotiation topics. To learn more about their work and areas of expertise, explore the following resource:
Meet the Voices of the Children and Youth Pavilion:
Access the Spokespeople Profiles (PDF)
If you are interested in interviewing any of our spokespeople, please get in touch with our communications team. We would be happy to facilitate introductions, coordinate interview requests and connect you with the right person for your story. All media enquiries and interview requests should be coordinated through our team.
About the Children and Youth Pavilion
The Children and Youth Pavilion is a fully youth-led initiative dedicated to providing a space for children and young people at the UN Climate Change Conference. It brings together children, young professionals, Indigenous activists, and organisations from around the world to advance intergenerational justice and ethical climate action. It remains the only space at COP with a fully youth-led infrastructure. Through cross-sectoral collaboration, it welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds and promotes knowledge exchange.
First established at COP27, the Pavilion gives young people a visible and meaningful presence within the official conference space. It showcases their expertise, initiatives, and contributions to developing innovative solutions to the climate crisis.
The CYP serves as an essential platform for children and young people to engage with and influence the negotiations and broader processes under the UNFCCC and at COP. It enables them to connect, exchange perspectives, and coordinate their engagement in climate policy, while amplifying the values and priorities of the global youth climate movement.
The Pavilion is coordinated by a coalition of entirely youth-led organisations that form its Steering Committee. Together, they shape the Pavilion’s programme, communications, and resource allocation, ensuring that young people remain at the heart of its direction and decision-making. The Steering Committee is supported by leading institutions that contribute expertise, capacity, and resources to strengthen youth participation and help bring the Pavilion’s vision to life.
The Children and Youth Pavilion is made possible through the efforts and commitment of its institutional partners, including the Climate Champions Team, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Alana Institute. Information on the Pavilion’s funding partners can be found on our website.
Explore the full programme of the Children and Youth Pavilion on our website. Follow us on Instagram at @childrenandyouthpavilion for daily updates and information about our sessions.
PRESS CONTACTS
📞 Mathias Schweikert: +49 1525 5778256 (WhatsApp)
📞 Valentina Ruas: +351 934837773 (WhatsApp)
