Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30 November 2023 - The Cook Islands participated in the 13th edition of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Youth Forum, which took place from 13 to 15 November 2023 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
The Cook Islands participated in the Forum through Foreign Service Officer of the Pacific, Regional and Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), Tatryanna Utanga.
Organised by the Social and Human Sciences sector, and part of the UNESCO Youth Programme, the Forum provided an opportunity for youth to engage in discussion and debate and share their recommendations, challenges, ideas and solutions with Member States during UNESCO's 42nd session of the General Conference, which also took place in Paris from 7 to 22 November 2023, and is the organisations highest decision-making body.
The Forum marked a pivotal moment for the planet and the lives of future generations, focusing on the social impacts of climate change and the need to achieve an equitable climate transition, with Ms Utanga joining over 170 other young leaders and high-level representatives, including Ministers, renowned climate activists, and UNESCO officials to explore and develop solutions.
Ms Utanga was also part of a wider Cook Islands delegation that participated at UNESCO's 42nd General Conference, led by Permanent Delegate and Cook Islands Ambassador to UNESCO, Dr Nathalie Rossette-Cazel, and Secretary-General for the Cook Islands Commission for UNESCO, and Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Danielle Cochrane.
"It's a long way to travel to Paris, but it is imperative that we ensure our Cook Islands voice continues to project in concert with other Pacific Islands voices," said MFAI Foreign Service Officer, Tatryanna Utanga.
"In the Pacific, we recognise that climate change is the number one existential threat we face daily. We must work together with our global community to put pressure on our leaders to understand that if we do not act now, our most vulnerable communities face dangerous, life-threatening consequences."
The Forum concluded with youth delegates presenting a recommendations document during the 42nd General Conference, calling for strengthened cooperation and recognition of a global climate emergency. Those in attendance also urged immediate action and ambitious change, stating that "The time for discussion is over."
Youth delegates further reaffirmed the importance of integrating youth voices into decision-making processes, and enabling them to drive bolder climate action commitments aligned with the Paris Agreement, while also calling for a legally binding framework to ensure accountability for actions taken.
"We are the future, and we will not accept a future where we have to flee our homes, fight for freshwater, or watch our ecosystems collapse. We are calling for accountability, transparency, inclusion, and action in addressing the climate crisis and its social impacts, and demand that leaders listen to our voices and act on our demands because together we can build a more just and sustainable future."