Two years after COP16 in Cali, young people continue to play a critical role in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through agroecology, biodiversity conservation, restoration, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, sustainable food systems and biodiversity-based enterprises. However, greater political recognition, investment and partnerships are required to translate commitments into scalable/measurable action.

Biodiversity and climate change interact with children and youth in several ways. Adaptation to climate change and measures to restore ecosystems, produce food sustainably and adapt to climate change offer opportunities to create new green jobs while increasing the resilience of existing ones. Green Jobs for young people are a critical vehicle for their social, economic, and political inclusion. Investing in youth led solutions, climate smart agriculture and clean energy technology provides opportunities to address challenges around youth unemployment, poverty and climate change. Many young people have the willingness and potential to tackle these problems and move our society closer to a biodiversity rich, low-carbon and climate resilient future.

Also the synergies among Rio Convention and youth intergenerational work are anchored by one political document: the manifesto of children and youth for biodiversity. This document supported the Global Youth Statement in 2024 by providing crucial inclusion of young people in rural communities, whose views are otherwise sidelined.

Yerevan is the moment to show that full continuity and demand that, five years after the GBF's adoption, verifiable results are on the table.

Objectives

• To highlight and strengthen the role of children and young people as agents of implementation, innovation, and local leadership in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, by showcasing specific on-the-ground experiences and promoting multisectoral dialogue to fulfill the commitments made from Cali through COP17 in Armenia.

• Highlighting successful initiatives by young green-entrepreneurs in their local communities aimed at biodiversity conservation, the development of sustainable and agroecological food systems, and land/ marine - coastal restoration.

• Support youth climate change champions and our policy demands by  multisectoral dialogue to accelerate partnerships and investments aimed at creating youth employment opportunities and help reduce constraints to meaningful youth participation in achieving the GBFMonitor the key commitments and decisions made at COP16 in Cali in the lead-up to COP17 in Armenia making sure to integrate youth indicators into programme and initiatives designs