COP29 Youth Delegates on Climate Migration

Zamzam Ibrahim is a prominent British-Somali activist, educator, and leader with a deep commitment to social justice, equality, and environmental sustainability. Born to Somali refugees in Sweden, she moved to the UK at a young age and has since become a vocal advocate for marginalized communities, focusing on issues affecting young people, women, and minorities. Zamzam gained widespread recognition during her time as President of the National Union of Students (NUS) from 2019 to 2020. During her tenure, she championed a broad range of causes, including the fight against student debt, mental health advocacy, and the campaign for free education. Under her leadership, the NUS took a strong stance on environmental issues, recognising the urgency of the climate crisis and advocating for systemic change to address it. 

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Israel is a young person with a physical disability, with a 10-year experience working towards improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities. He is the CEO of Congo Innovation Academy-CINA, an organization that empowers young disabled people and villagers to fight climate change and poverty. So far, CINA has trained 400+ youths, has planted 700 trees and constructed one training room entirely using upcycled plastic bottles. As a climate activist, Israel Baelongandi attended the Africlimate organized by UNDP Egypt in 2022, as well as the COY17 in Sharm El Sheikh. He has also completed the online course entitled Climate Change and Carbon Market, by GIZ and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. 

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Emmanuella Doreen Kwofie is a lawyer, a passionate climate change activist, and skilled climate negotiator. Her legal pursuits revolve around environmental integrity, international environmental law, climate negotiations, climate finance, gender and migration, climate policy, renewable energy and intergenerational equity. She was a member of the Delegation of Ghana’s negotiators during COP28 in Dubai and the 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies Meeting in Germany. Currently, Emmanuella works at the Office of the General Counsel of the Green Climate Fund in Incheon, South Korea where she works in areas such as funded activity agreement, funding proposal review, privileges and immunities, legal research among others. 

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Crispus is a medical clinician and a passionate climate mobility and health justice activist. He co-founded Abayuuti Climate Action Network, a youth environmental organization focused on climate mobility, primarily livelihood support for displaced people, policy advocacy, community engagement, and research. He also founded and leads Kampala Climate Cafe, providing capacity building and networking for Ugandan youth. A winner of the Future Together Award for his work in climate refugee camps in western Uganda, he highlights the intersectionality of climate change, mobility, and health. He is a youth climate negotiator under the UNFCCC.

Peace, a Liberian born in Doe Community Bushrod, Montserrado wetland, has firsthand experience with floods and migration. Committed to community transformation, he co-founded the Liberian Youth for Climate Actions (LYCA), an environmental youth NGO certified by Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency. LYCA focuses on aiding children, youths, women, and local communities in combating the impacts of climate change, particularly in coastal swamp regions.

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Climate activist and trained youth climate negotiator Simon holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering. In 2023, his community in Hanang, Manyara experienced a major disaster. Heavy rainfall caused mudslides and floods, devastating crops, livestock, health services, education, and infrastructure. The disaster claimed 89 lives and displaced over 700 people, including Simon’s family, who were sheltered in a primary school. Experiencing this disaster firsthand, Simon chose to advocate for his community. He emphasises the need for proactive measures, funds, disaster warning systems, and a dedicated disaster preparedness department to handle future emergencies.

As a climate change educator and ocean researcher, Tina develops educational materials and courses on climate change adaptation and disaster risk management. She is currently working on creating a Certificate Level 3 in Climate Change Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) for Samoa, aimed at strengthening local capacity in managing climate-related risks. She also had the privilege of representing the youth of Samoa at the Our Ocean Conference in Greece, engaging with global leaders on ocean conservation and climate action. Furthermore, Tina participated in a South-South Cooperation Climate Change and Capacity Building Workshop in China, enhancing her knowledge of global climate strategies and cooperative efforts.

Bilgudei is a social entrepreneur currently building a digital solution called “Otorchin” for the Mongolian nomadic herders to adapt to the changing climate and the harsh living conditions in Mongolia. The name “Otorchin” stems from the Mongolian word “Otor” which means the act of moving in search of better grassland and water away from their degrading pastureland. Similarly, the main function of the app is to help the herders access the most ideal grazing locations for their livestock on the map, which is calculated from the satellite images. In addition, to reduce their risk to climate disasters it has features such as getting their livestock location via GPS trackers, receiving weather information, sending SOS in case of emergency, and getting government services and aids.

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Prakriti Koirala is a senior researcher at Clim Adapt, a Nepal-based non-profit company dedicated to building climate-resilient communities. With a master’s degree in Environmental Science, specializing in climate change, Prakriti has been following international climate change negotiations since 2021, with a strong focus on loss and damage. In addition to her research work, she serves as the Communication Co-Lead for the Climate Leadership Initiative, which helps empower young negotiators from the Global South. She also holds the role of Global Youth Coordinator for the Least Developed Countries Group, advocating for the voices of young people in climate action.

Aakash Ranison is a Co-Director of the Greener Earth Foundation and a representative of Civil Society at the Paris Peace Forum. He is a dedicated climate advocate, author, artist, and filmmaker, deeply committed to environmental activism. Aakash has been honored as one of Forbes India’s Top 100 Digital Stars 2022 and has received numerous accolades, including Climate Warrior of the Year 2022 and 2023 (Editor’s Choice) from Cosmopolitan Magazine, Champion for Responsible Travel 2022 from Travel+Leisure, and Sustainable Changemaker of the Year 2022 (Popular Choice) from Exhibit Magazine. He was also named Swachhta Ambassador of the Year 2024 by Jagran Media and Climate Action Catalyst 2024 by Vegan India Conference.

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Shakhzoda is a youth activist, documentary filmmaker, and storyteller passionate about addressing environmental and gender issues affecting marginalized communities. Since 2023, she has been actively advising the European Union’s Commissioner and DG INTPA (Directorate-General for International Partnerships) on youth engagement policies related to gender equality and environmental sustainability. Additionally, she supports the implementation of the Youth Action Plan in EU External Action, focusing on meaningful youth participation in global policy frameworks. She is also honored to have been selected as a Future Rising Fellow, an initiative organized by the Girl Rising organization that centers on the intersection of climate change and gender equality.

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Mariana Gomes holds a degree in Law, has been an activist since 2017, and is the President and Founder of Último Recurso, the first climate litigation NGO in Portugal. She studied climate change and leadership in the United States with a Fulbright scholarship and focused on Environmental Law and Energy at Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Brazil. She is currently pursuing a Postgraduate degree in Environmental Law, Urbanism, and Land Use Planning. Mariana has advised the United Nations on critical minerals, represents Portugal in international climate negotiations, and is an Ambassador for the European Climate Pact. As an advisor to the President of the Portuguese Republic through the think tank “The Future Has Already Begun”, she was recently named one of the 20 most influential young people in the country, following her selection in 2022 as one of Europe’s 20 Young Leaders by the US State Department.

Handel Victor Lionel Mux Roquel, maya kaqchikel (an indigenous people from Guatemala), is from San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Handel is a dedicated Environmental Management Engineering student at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC). Born and raised with a profound respect for Mother Earth, Handel’s early life was deeply influenced by his community’s worldview, which instilled in him a strong sense of environmental stewardship. Engaged in various initiatives aimed at connecting his peers with the pressing environmental and social issues faced by indigenous communities. His involvement in diverse organizations—youth, academic, and student-led—has led him to collaborate on projects focused on establishing environmental care and water management organizations within indigenous territories.

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Isis Riquelme is a Chilean environmental educator, socio-environmental activist, social innovator and entrepreneur. At the age of 17, she created Plan B, the first environmental education system in Latin America. At the age of 21, she co-founded Chucaw, an innovation and technology startup for the prediction, monitoring, adaptation and resilience to extreme weather events. In 2022, she was recognized as an ambassador of the Escazú Agreement in Chile for her contribution to environmental human rights. In 2023, United Nations Youth recognized her as one of the 500 young people who are helping to achieve the SDGs, highlighting her work in Chucaw around SDGs 11 and 5.

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Natalia is a graduate student in International Relations from UFRJ and works as a public management intern at the Rio de Janeiro Economic Development Secretariat. She is also a researcher in the area of gender and climate change, with a focus on climate finance for adaptation and mitigation projects aimed at women from vulnerable groups. She works as well as a research advisor in international political advocacy at the Duclima Institute, an environmental organization formed by black Brazilian youth that aims to combat the environmental racism evidenced by climate disasters in the country, promoting effective actions in national territories through public policies for climate resilience and adaptation.

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Wara Iris Ruiz Condori is aymara indigenous young woman of Los Andes, Bolivia. She is a project coordinator in the field of climate change and biodiversity advocacy in Indigenous Peoples Rights international. She is leading empowerment of indigenous young women in Bolivia and the rights for her lands with International Land Coalition as a Future Leader 2024. Also, Wara is leading a movement of environmental journalism for indigenous displaced people with Cultural Survival and a Project in advocacy for women land in food systems with Slow Food Youth Network. Member of the International Indigenous Youth Forum of Climate Change and member of the international steering committee of Slow Food Youth Network, Wara participated in SB58 and in COP 28 thanks to Latin American Youth Climate Scholarship.

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Yemi Knight is a young Barbadian conservationist who works alongside a coalition of LGBTQ+ advocates, campaigning for the inclusion of comprehensive protections for gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and environmental provisions in the Barbados constitution. Yemi’s commitment to promoting environmental justice is the cornerstone of their efforts. They envision a future where their NGO, AnchorBridge Environmental Inc., continues to grow and empower communities across Barbados and the Caribbean. By designing and implementing inclusive climate and environmental policies and plans, Yemi strives to ensure that the vibrant ecosystems and diverse communities of the region are preserved and cherished for generations to come.

Dominican by birth, St Luke moved to Montserrat in 2019 to join the Royal Montserrat Police Service. He was instrumental in revamping the Montserrat National Youth Parliament, where he held the portfolio of junior deputy leader and minister of Agriculture Lands housing, and the environment on the government side. To date, St Luke has the portfolio of Youth Premier, St Luke is reading for a bachelor’s in political science at the University of the West Indies global campus in Montserrat. He is a UWI STAT ambassador within the disaster mitigation and climate change committee.

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Mayada is a medical doctor, artist and international affairs expert. She is recognized by Secretary General Envoy on Youth for her work in achieving the agenda 2030 and contributing creatively in advancing and amplifying youth voices in domains like health equity, migration, SDGs and climate advocacy around the world, assisted in creating strategies and policies to strengthen the youth meaningful participation in high-level decisions making as crucial component to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with a whole-of-society approach. Mayada is also recognized as Global Changemaker by Chicago Council on Global Affairs and MIPAD100 One of Most Influential 100 People of African Descent.

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Nouha Salhi is a young Tunisian climate change negotiator supporting the UNFCCC national focal point and an international development professional at GFA Consulting Group, based in Hamburg, Germany. She holds MA degrees in European Diplomacy from the College of Europe in Bruges and International Relations from Budapest Business School, along with a BBA majoring in Business Analytics and minoring in International Political Economy. Nouha advocates for youth interests in global climate policymaking and has participated in COPs (including COP28) and SBIs (58, 59, & 60), officially representing Tunisia in the Just Transition Work Programme and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Additionally, she serves as a youth advisor for the Youth Against Slavery movement, focusing on climate migration.

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Rose is a Ugandan advocate on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (MECC). She holds a master’s in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford. Rose is pursuing a doctorate in ‘Sustainable Energy Futures in Displacement Settings’ at Coventry University to ensure displaced people are not left behind in the just energy transition. She also works directly with migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), focusing on forging solutions and amplifying voices for inclusive policies and climate and development solutions. Rose also initiated the YOUNGO Climate and Migration working group and is an IOM-AU Youth Migration, Environment, and Climate Change ambassador.

Asha is an advocate for human development and the Executive Assistant at the Mayors Migration Council. Motivated by her Jamaican migrant upbringing, she works to empower marginalized communities and minimize inequality globally. As Chair of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council, she led a youth innovation challenge and helped coordinate the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference. Asha won the “Solving For Humanity: Global Youth Challenge for Human Development” in 2023 for her proposal on collective remittances and participated in the 2024 ECOSOC Youth Forum, championing diaspora youth mobilization. She holds an MPA in Development Practice from Columbia University.

Kornelius Sembiring, 26, advocates for underrepresented voices, standing up for civic engagement and education access for marginalized communities. After a volcanic eruption forced him to flee his home, he spent six years in an evacuation camp in rural Indonesia. Experiencing severe educational barriers, he became acutely aware of the challenges that forcibly displaced youth face. He founded the community organization Karo Juara to address these issues and interned with RDI Urban Refugee Research. In 2023, Kornelius’ dedication led to his selection to study Refugee and Forced Migration through Oxford University’s RSC Pathways online course, where he earned recognition for his excellence in community engagement. Professionally, Kornelius specializes in digital marketing.

Chaela Tordillo is a program researcher for an online video explainer series dedicated to environmental issues. A film graduate from the University of the Philippines, she is also a member of Clean Happy World, an organization advocating for climate education. Her short film, Old Times, received the PLURAL+ Special Recognition for Inclusive Action on Climate Change and its Impact on Migration.