Young people from 39 countries gathered in Brazil have issued a bold declaration just months ahead of COP30, calling for immediate climate action and demanding justice in climate finance.
Two hundred youth delegates from 39 countries gathered in person in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with another 300 participants joining online, to adopt the Belo Horizonte Youth Climate Declaration on April 4. This bold, global appeal demands concrete and immediate changes to the international climate agenda. The declaration was the highlight of the 2025 Global Youth Climate Summit, which included participation from E&M and was held at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil.
The declaration, collaboratively drafted over four days, calls for urgent action and firm commitments from global leaders in five priority areas: climate finance and accountability, youth leadership and participation, climate justice and equity, traditional knowledge and nature-based solutions, and sustainable cities and just transition.
“We, the youth gathered in Belo Horizonte, reaffirm our commitment to a future guided by education, biodiversity, and justice,” reads the preamble of the declaration. The document also urges for the effective inclusion of young people in climate policy decision-making, the recognition of traditional knowledge, and fair, accessible climate finance for the most vulnerable communities.
Mozambique on the Road to COP30
The contents of the declaration were presented during the summit’s closing ceremony, where Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, committed to taking the document to COP30, to be held in November in Belém, in the state of Pará, Brazil.
“I feel deeply inspired by what I’ve heard and witnessed here. This declaration reflects the courage and vision of a generation that is already leading,” said the minister.
Mozambique, a country increasingly affected by extreme climate events — such as cyclones Idai, Kenneth, Freddy, and Gombe — which displaced thousands, destroyed infrastructure, and worsened poverty, also took part in the summit virtually. Despite contributing minimally to greenhouse gas emissions, the country remains among those with the lowest adaptive capacity, making it a symbol of the injustices addressed during the summit.
In panels such as “Youth and Climate Justice,” “Loss and Damage,” “Water Security,” and “Locally Led Adaptation,” participants highlighted the realities of Global South communities that, like those in Mozambique, face multiple socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities. There was a unanimous demand among youth for fair climate financing, recognition of traditional knowledge, and greater youth involvement in shaping global public policies.
Organized by the Global Youth Leadership Center (GYLC) in partnership with UFMG, the summit featured experts such as former NASA scientist Peter Fiekowsky and UFMG professor Geraldo Fernandes. Debates addressed climate science, biodiversity restoration, artificial intelligence, and community-driven climate adaptation solutions. The presence of indigenous representatives and frontline climate-impacted communities brought a deeply human dimension to the summit. Rayane Xipaya, an Indigenous activist from Pará, made an emotional appeal for forest protection and the preservation of traditional ways of life:
“The future of the Amazon is in our hands, and our rights must be respected.”
Beyond plenary sessions, participants visited the Inhotim museum-garden, exchanged cultural experiences, and strengthened international ties. The event concluded with the announcement of the 2025 Youth Climate Champions, selected from countries like Bolivia, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, recognized for their community climate action projects. The honorees received financial support to implement climate initiatives in their local areas.
A Milestone of Integrity and Courage
For the organizers, the Belo Horizonte Declaration marks a milestone in building a stronger, more organized global youth movement ahead of COP30.
“The integrity and courage shown by these young people is what can change the world,” said Ejaj Ahmad, founder of GYLC.
At the summit’s conclusion, it was clear that countries like Mozambique can no longer be marginalized in the global climate response. The youth who participated in the 2025 Global Youth Climate Summit left a clear message: those most affected must also lead the way toward a just and sustainable transition.
With firm voices and clear proposals, the youth left an unequivocal message in Belo Horizonte: the time for waiting is over — it is time to act.
Text: Nário Sixpene
