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As climate change accelerates, both human communities and countless species in the Global South face growing threats. Rising sea levels, deforestation, and species extinction are becoming more frequent, putting entire ecosystems—on land and underwater—at critical risk. The Amazon rainforest, coral reefs, and freshwater systems are all under threat, and UNEP warns that by 2050, humanity will need the resources of three planets to sustain life, creating immense pressure on humans, wildlife, and marine life alike.

The Global Youth Climate Summit 2025 will bring together 500 youth from across the Global South and beyond to tackle these urgent challenges. Hosted at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, the summit will expand youth’s knowledge about climate science, build their leadership skills, and support them in their climate action initiatives. The summit will welcome 200 participants in person and 300 virtually, offering opportunities to learn from experts and each other while developing solutions to protect biodiversity across all ecosystems—land, water, and air.

Additionally, 10 youth climate champions from the most vulnerable countries will be selected to receive $1,000 each to implement climate and biodiversity projects in their communities. Through this summit, young leaders will gain the knowledge and tools they need to protect their communities and safeguard the ecosystems that all life depends on. The youth of the Global South are ready to lead the way in securing the planet's future.