The Local Conference of Youth (LCOY RDC 2026) was held in the Democratic Republic of Congo from November 3-4, bringing together 248 participants in person and over 100 online from various provinces. The conference, organized by the Corps des Jeunes contre le Paludisme (CJP-RDC/ASBL) in collaboration with Fanya Association, aimed to produce a national youth declaration on climate change with concrete recommendations for COP31. The event was opened by a representative of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment.
The conference focused on three key priorities: climate governance, adaptation and territorial resilience, and environmental and biodiversity protection. According to Claude Mbuyi, President of the National Youth Council, the conference aimed to address three major demands. Firstly, he emphasized the need for effective and inclusive participation, ensuring that the voices of young people from vulnerable provinces and territories are heard. This includes giving equal opportunities to young women and those living with disabilities to contribute and be heard.
Mbuyi's second demand was for investment in solutions led by young people. He stressed that Congolese youth need training, technical support, and accessible funding to amplify their impact. The third demand was for follow-up on commitments made, ensuring that the declaration or recommendations from the conference translate into specific proposals with priorities, responsibilities, and deadlines. The National Youth Council plans to mobilize its provincial relays to collect local initiatives and facilitate dialogue between young people, decision-makers, and technical and financial partners.
John Agbor, Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the DRC, addressed the youth, stating that the conference provides a platform for their voices to be heard. He emphasized that the declaration from the conference must be clear, concrete, and ambitious, reflecting the realities of all provinces, not just Kinshasa. Agbor encouraged the youth to speak out and not let others speak on their behalf, sharing their concerns, solutions, and community experiences.
Agbor also urged the youth to continue pushing for change, emphasizing that the DRC aims to be a solution country, but this requires a youth that proposes, innovates, and acts. He encouraged them to take bold steps, questioning decision-makers and proposing solutions. The UNICEF representative assured the youth of his personal support and that of the organization, both in the DRC and globally, to continue standing alongside them.
The conference provided a platform for young people to share their perspectives and demands on climate change. With the DRC's rich natural resources and vulnerability to climate change, the youth's voices are crucial in shaping the country's response to the crisis. The country's commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development was reiterated, with a focus on the role of young people in driving this effort.
As COP31 approaches, the Congolese youth's demands for action on climate change are clear. With the support of organizations like UNICEF and the National Youth Council, they are poised to make their voices heard on the international stage. The outcome of the conference and the extent to which their demands are addressed remain to be seen.
Key points
- The Congolese youth are demanding effective and inclusive participation in climate decision-making processes.
- They are calling for investment in solutions led by young people, including training, technical support, and accessible funding.
- The youth are also demanding follow-up on commitments made to address climate change.
