​Hosted by: Plan International Australia, UNICEF Australia, and Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia 

​Australia is President of the COP31 negotiations — placing it in a powerful position to shape not just what is decided, but who those decisions are for. This moment offers an important opportunity to move beyond simply mentioning children and young people in UNFCCC outcomes and to meaningfully embed their rights, voices, and lived realities into the decisions that will shape their futures. 

​While recognition of children and youth in UNFCCC processes has grown, significant gaps remain. Too often, references to children and young people are symbolic rather than substantive. 

​This panel brings together young people and policy experts to unpack how COP31 decisions can better reflect the rights, needs, and experiences of children, girls, and young people worldwide.

​Together, we’ll explore why centring child and youth rights in UNFCCC decisions matters, and how Australia’s COP31 Presidency can help turn this opportunity into meaningful, rights-based outcomes for current and future generations.