“Climate change is not only our present but also our future. To ensure we have a livable planet tomorrow, we must act now.” These thoughts set the tone for the COP29 conference, where I had the opportunity to participate as a Young Ambassador for UNICEF Hungary.
The COP29, or United Nations Climate Summit, is one of the world’s most significant climate conferences, held this year in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The two-week conference was not only a platform for dialogue between policymakers and experts but also for young people. Among them, I represented the voice and interests of youth, alongside Mészáros Antónia, Executive Director of UNICEF Hungary, and my fellow Young Ambassador, Gergely Berényi.
While time was always of the essence, it was inspiring to witness the massive global efforts being made for sustainability. Particularly inspiring was the energy and commitment of the young delegates from around the world. Their voices are no longer just an additional perspective, but increasingly play a decisive role in the decision-making process.
At the climate summit, I had multiple opportunities to meet with the Hungarian delegation’s negotiators and experts, with whom I discussed not only the role of young people and the representation of children’s interests but also how to navigate the conference, as the event featured numerous discussions, presentations across various halls, and thousands of thematic events organized by different countries, companies, and organizations.
For me, the conversations held in the pavilions were the most exciting. Through personal stories and new innovations, I was drawn closer to a solution-focused mindset. It was reassuring and inspiring to hear how seriously young people take active action around the world (such as in Canada and Australia), and how they are working on campaigns and programs that reach entire nations – just like the UNICEF Hungary Climate Heroes program, in which I have been actively involved for years.
At the conference, we not only gained deeper insights into how complex climate policy decision-making is and the challenges countries face in creating joint solutions (such as reducing carbon emissions or adapting to climate change), but we also experienced firsthand how greatly our generation contributes to driving change. This strengthened our belief that our work matters, and that in the fight against climate change, we are not alone.
Participating in COP29 was the most significant milestone of this year’s UNICEF Hungary Climate Heroes program! My trip was made possible through the support of ALTEO Energy Service Provider Ltd. under the framework of the UNICEF Hungary Climate Heroes program. The program is supported by well-known companies and corporations, including ALTEO, Dentons, Indotek Group, Magyar Telekom, and SPAR.
I also thank the Csányi Foundation for supporting my talent development for the past 7 years as part of the Életút Program!
Pege Gyula, Jászság 3 group