Organized by the United Nations ESCAP, Hackathon Thailand, Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform, Global Climate Action Partnership, and Asia LEDS Partnership as an associated event to the 11th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), this climate action ideation will engage youth from the Asia-Pacific region (ages 18-30) to develop practical, yet innovative, solutions to accelerate climate action. Solutions will fall under the following categories:
- Electric mobility.
- Climate-smart agriculture and food systems.
- Climate resilient/adaptive cities.
- Natural ecosystem preservation.
- Just transition.*
*The just transition refers to “Greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.”
Selected youth will be grouped into teams of three and tasked to develop their solution over one week. Then, after a pre-selection process, the top three teams will move forward for a final selection process at the APFSD. The winning team will have the opportunity to present their solution at the APFSD exhibition, with the potential for other future opportunities. The climathon will be divided into two segments: online and in-person. This portion of the climathon will take place online over two days as an initial kick-off followed by preparatory workshop sessions for participants. Following this, participants will develop their solutions and submit them online.
There is a growing recognition of the critical role that youth play in climate action. As highlighted in the youth statement presented at the 79th ESCAP Commission Session, youth across Asia and the Pacific are calling for more engagement in climate action and support for their development, including in implementing climate action solutions. Youth are in a strong position to drive solutions forward as they are in tune with the issues and developments of the present, are technologically savvy, and have the energetic, innovative, and disruptive approaches needed to accelerate climate action. As the recent United Nations Secretary-General policy brief on meaningful youth engagement in policy and decision-making processes points out “Youth are key to identifying new solutions that will secure the breakthroughs that our world urgently needs.”
The 11th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD)—held from 20-23 February 2024—will examine the multiple crises of poverty, food security, and climate change in the region and their relationship to each other. The APFSD is an annual, inclusive intergovernmental forum to support follow-up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals and presents an ideal opportunity to bring innovative youth solutions on climate action forward to a diverse regional audience.
What will participants get?
- The opportunity to network and connect with peers from across the region.
- The opportunity to learn from experts.
- The chance to develop your innovative solution.
- The opportunity to learn more about climate action, collaborative processes, and pitching.
- The finalist will have the opportunity to present to a panel of judges at the APFSD; the winner will present at the APFSD exhibition.
- Post-event support and opportunities may be provided to help further develop the solutions.
- All participants will receive a certificate.
Eligibility:
- Participants must be between ages 18-30
- Participants must be from the Asia-Pacific region
Application:
- To apply, go to the ‘Apply Link’ and fill out the form with the required information.
