ABOUT

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.

GYCS 2023

200 delegates and speakers from 24 countries, especially from climate vulnerable countries in the Global South, gathered at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on October 4-7, 2023, for the Global Youth Climate Summit.

During the Summit, the delegates co-created the Dar es Salaam Youth Climate Declaration, outlining concerns and aspirations of youth.

SPEAKERS

Ejaj Ahmad

CEO, GYLC

Sir Christopher Ball

Former Warden of Keble College, Oxford University; First Chancellor, University of Derby; Director of Learning, The Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce

Karina Weinstein

Program Strategy and Innovation Director, FXB USA

Taylor Bratton

Marine Social Ecologist, USA

Beatrice Phiri

2021 Youth Climate Champion, GYLC

Ellen Goldstein

Board Member, GYLC

Maha Qasim

Board Member, GYLC

Professor Ricardo Gonçalves

 Director, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais  

Luciana Barbosa de Oliveira Santos

Minister, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazil 

Dr. Geraldo Fernandes

Professor, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil 

Sandra Regina Goulart Almeida

President, Federal University of Minas Gerais

AGENDA (VIRTUAL SUMMIT)

Day 1 (Wednesday, April 2)

● Opening plenary: No time to waste
● Fireside chat on managing wellbeing of both ecosystems and human beings
● Intergenerational collaboration for climate action 

Day 2 (Thursday, April 3)

● Masterclass on Leadership I
● Masterclass on Leadership II
● Multi-sectoral partnerships for climate action
● Panel on how to move others
● Deploy yourself and staying alive

Day 3 (Friday, April 4) 

● Panel 1: Agriculture and food systems
● Panel 2: Plasticonomy and deforestation
● Panel 3: Water security
● Panel 4: The future of energy
● Panel 5: Youth in locally led adaptation
● Panel 6: Youth in Loss and Damage Advocacy
● Panel 7: Role of philanthropy in climate action in global frontline communities 
● Panel 8: Sustainable consumption

Day 4 (Saturday, April 5)

● Workshop: Leading with purpose & personal action plan
● Closing plenary: Reaffirming our commitment to climate action 

AGENDA (IN-PERSON SUMMIT)

Day 1 (Wednesday, April 2; Federal University of Minas Gerais)

● Opening ceremony and plenary: No time to waste
● Fireside chat: Managing wellbeing of both ecosystems and human beings
● Intergenerational collaboration for climate action 
● Dinner and music

Day 2 (Thursday, April 3; Federal University of Minas Gerais)

● Masterclass on Leadership I
● Masterclass on Leadership II
● Masterclass on Leadership II
● Panel on how to move others
● Deploy yourself and staying alive
● Dinner and cultural evening

Day 3 (Friday, April 4; Field visit to Inhotim)

● Authentic Amazonian lunch
● A walk in the Inhotim museum
● Brazilian folk dance 

Day 4 (Saturday, April 5, Federal University of Minas Gerais)

● Workshop: Leading with purpose & personal action plan
● Closing plenary: Reaffirming our commitment to climate action 

APPLY TO BECOME A YOUTH CLIMATE CHAMPION

You recognize the need for climate action and are taking the first steps in raising awareness

You serve as an example to other members in your community and can inspire a commitment to change while raising your own profile

You have the opportunity to become a part of a global community of like-minded individuals committed to a greener future

Benefits of becoming a delegate to the in-person Global Youth Climate Summit in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

● Learn from globally recognized experts about pressing issues on climate change
● Develop your leadership skills 
● Network with like-minded peers from around the world
● Experience Amazonian culture, authentic cuisine, and Samba dance
● Certificate of participation

Benefits of becoming a delegate to the virtual Youth Climate Summit

● Learn from globally recognized experts about pressing issues on climate change
● Develop your leadership skills
● Network with like-minded peers from around the world
● Certificate of participation

Benefits of becoming a youth champion

● USD 1,000 award for your project on climate change
● Press release mentioning your name
● Invitation to attend a three-day leadership course for climate change activists on full scholarship
● Make your community proud!

FEES

● There is no registration fee for participating in the virtual Summit.
● For Brazilian residents, there is no registration fee for attending the Summit in person and registration includes snacks and lunch during the conference as well as a conference kit
● For international delegates, the registration fee for attending the Summit in person is USD 300 and it includes shared accommodation for three nights (April 2-5), local transportation, food, and a conference kit


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Global Youth Climate Summit is a three-day hybrid (in-person and virtual) event taking place from April 2-5, 2025. The Summit aims to mobilize youth, build their leadership skills, and support them in leading the fight against climate change. It will bring together 500 youth, aged 18 to 32, and engage them in intergenerational dialogue with leading experts in climate change.

The Summit is open to anyone aged 18 to 32 from anywhere in the world. We are looking for young people passionate about tackling climate change.

TThe virtual Summit will be held online from April 2-5, 2025. All registered participants will receive an email with links to join the virtual event. Simultaneously, the in-person Summit will take place at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. 

Attendance at the Summit's virtual sessions is free of charge. For in-person participation, the registration fee is waived for Brazilian residents, while international delegates are required to pay USD 300. Financial aid is available to support participants as needed.

Both offline and online participants who will attend all the sessions will receive a certificate of participation from GYLC. 

Please refer to the program agenda for details on the sessions and speakers.

Local delegates (Brazilian residents) are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, the Summit venue in Brazil.

Yes, free shuttle services will be available for international delegates to and from Tancredo Neves International Airport, Belo Horizonte, to the hotel. This service will be available from 00:01 hrs on April 2 until 23:59 hrs on April 5. 

To apply for the prize, individuals aged 18 to 32 are required to design a community project, to be implemented anywhere in the world within three months (May 2025 - July 2025), that promotes the wellbeing of both ecosystems and human beings. Selected projects will each receive funding of USD 1,000. 

Winning projects will be selected based on creativity, implementation plan, and potential impact.

No, only individual submissions are accepted. However, you may work individually or with a team to execute your idea. 

Submit your project idea in 500 words when completing the application form. You should refer to our work plan template and budget guidelines for proposal submission. 

We aim to fund 10 projects worldwide. GYLC reserves the final decision on winning proposals. Prize money will be disbursed to winners upon assurance that the proposed project will be implemented within six months of receiving the funds.

The deadline to submit proposals is January 15, 2025. 

he results will be announced on April 5, 2025 at the closing plenary of the Global Youth Climate Summit 2025. 

PARTNER

SILVER SPONSOR