A YOUTH Climate Summit Southeast Asia 2024, which aims to engage, connect and empower young people to take action on climate change, is scheduled to take place from Oct 14 to Oct 18 at UOW Malaysia George Town Campus.
With the theme Empowering Action for Nature, the summit will provide a platform for young people, particularly those aged 15 to 25, to drive initiatives and solutions addressing climate change.
Emphasising the urgency of environmental issues, Penang Green Council (PGC) general manager Josephine Tan estimated that more than 200 participants are expected to attend the summit.
“It is a five-day programme designed to convene and inspire young people to generate ideas to tackle climate change. The summit focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to become effective climate leaders.
“We aim to foster closer collaboration among youth organisations, community leaders, and environmental experts to develop climate change solutions during the event,” she shared with Buletin Mutiara during an interview.
Sponsored by Think City and supported by The Wild Centre, a natural history museum in New York, the summit was first initiated by The Wild Centre in the US in 2009. This year marks the first time such a significant event will take place in Southeast Asia.
The event is co-organised by various partners, including PGC, Think City, PowerSains, state Education Department, UOW Malaysia, WorldFish, Tropical Spice Garden, Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, Green Educators’ Workgroup (GREW), Water Watch Penang, Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), The Habitat Penang Hill, Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm, and Center For Marine & Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
“I hope this summit can inspire participants to embrace the principles of sustainable development. During the programme, participants will present their findings,” Tan said.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Ali is expected to officiate the event, while Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is slated to attend the dinner session.
The summit discussions will cover critical issues such as climate action and education, food and water security, tourism and heritage, indigenous knowledge, and climate storytelling. Additionally, the programme will feature expert sharing sessions, workshops, excursions, and the development of climate action plans.
Tan emphasised the need to address the water security issue in Penang as it remains vital for the state, adding that PGC is working closely with other relevant agencies.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian