Bangladesh youth climate charter takes local demands to COP31 debate

Young climate activists in Bangladesh have handed a 20-point position paper to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, calling for local demands to shape COP31 position.

The paper was presented at the close of Bangladesh Youth COP 2026 in Dhaka. It draws on young people from all 64 districts and vulnerable communities. Organised by ActionAid Bangladesh and Brighters, the programme brought together more than 100 young activists.

The charter calls for action on adaptation and mitigation, locally led adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, technology transfer, climate education, gender equality, social inclusion and meaningful youth participation. Fariha Sultana Aumi, chair of Brighters, said the paper was built through direct engagement, including in Bagerhat and Kaptai-Rangamati. She called for adaptation to remain a priority, more adaptation finance, stronger implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and a role for young people in planning.

Acting environment secretary Fahmida Khanam received the paper. She said its recommendations could contribute to Bangladesh’s COP31 position and called for more youth participation, regional cooperation and engagement in negotiations.

Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle said: “Effective climate action requires governments, local communities, young people and affected populations to work together. COP31 must focus on implementation and ensure that the voices of vulnerable people are heard.” She also said Indo-Pacific communities are already seeing sea-level rise, extreme weather and displacement.

Maldives High Commissioner Shiuneen Rasheed said young people from Bangladesh, the Maldives and other Asian countries could build a regional voice. She said Maldivian youth are consulted before the government goes to COP. Denmark’s deputy head of mission, Anders B Carlsen, said climate change has no borders.

Nizam Uddin, from Hatiya in Noakhali, said: “Basic services and local protection must be prioritised in climate adaptation policies.” He said storms and waterlogging cut the island off, disrupting transport and healthcare. ActionAid Bangladesh country director Farah Kabir, who moderated the event, said demands from marginalised communities must reach the global stage.

COP31 is scheduled for 9–20 November 2026 in Antalya. The paper gives Bangladesh priorities for those negotiations.