Mogadishu, Somalia – The Climate Resilience and Adaptation Network (CRAN) proudly co-hosted the first-ever Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Somalia 2024, held on August 27-28, 2024, in Mogadishu. This milestone event brought together over 150 passionate young leaders, climate advocates, and youth representatives from Somalia’s six Federal Member States to address the pressing climate challenges facing the country. The event was marked by inspiring discussions, expert panel sessions, and a collaborative drive to shape Somalia’s climate future.
LCOY Somalia 2024 was a monumental moment for Somali youth, who have long been at the forefront of climate action in a region disproportionately affected by climate change. The event served as a platform for youth to share their insights, solutions, and experiences in addressing the country’s environmental challenges, including droughts, floods, displacement, and resource scarcity.
Day 1: Building Foundations for Youth-Led Climate Action
The opening day of LCOY Somalia 2024 featured keynote addresses from national leaders, environmental experts, and youth climate activists. Participants engaged in interactive workshops focusing on climate policy, adaptation strategies, and the role of youth in shaping sustainable development. CRAN’s chairman, Abukar Osman, emphasized the importance of youth-led initiatives in building climate resilience across Somalia.
Throughout the day, dynamic panel discussions covered key topics such as the intersection of climate change and displacement, the role of indigenous knowledge in adaptation, and pathways for Somali youth to influence local and international climate policy. CRAN led a special session on “Climate and Conflict: Addressing Displacement in Somalia,” which highlighted the challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to climate-induced disasters and conflicts.
Day 2: Crafting the National Youth Statement on Climate
The second day was dedicated to crafting Somalia’s first-ever National Youth Statement on Climate, a document that will be presented at regional and global climate forums, including the upcoming COP29. Youth participants collaborated in breakout sessions to discuss their priorities and propose actionable recommendations for addressing climate impacts in their communities.
The event concluded with a powerful commitment from Somali youth to drive climate action at the local, national, and international levels. Mohamed Abdirahman Mohamed, a key LCOY organizer, remarked, “This gathering has united Somali youth in a shared vision of a resilient and sustainable future. Together, we are ready to take our message to the world.”
Looking Ahead: COY19 and COP29
As LCOY Somalia 2024 concluded, the focus now shifts to the global stage. Somali youth leaders are preparing to bring their voices and the National Youth Statement to the 19th Conference of Youth (COY19) and COP29, where they will join other young climate activists from around the world. These upcoming conferences offer a unique opportunity for Somali youth to advocate for their communities and ensure that the specific challenges of climate-vulnerable nations like Somalia are addressed in global climate discussions.