Side Event: The Global Youth in all Fronts of Environmental Action: Exchange of Experiences and Best Practices
Start date: 04/06/2026
End date: 04/06/2026
Location
Main Stage, Eco Expo Central Asia 2026
Samarkand
Uzbekistan
Date: June 4th, 2026
Time: 17:00-18:00
Location: Main Stage, Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, Samarkand
Background
Worldwide and across every major UN environmental framework youth are being part of environmental action and decisions. They are negotiators at the table, advocates online, and leaders driving community-based solutions on the ground. In civil society and NGOs, in national delegations and youth constituencies, and in grassroots movements around the world, young people are working on all fronts of environmental action simultaneously.
Therefore, the unique lessons learned along the way, what works, what does not, and how to navigate the challenges of each space are important to be shared across the constituencies, organizations and communities. The 8th GEF Assembly and Eco Expo
Central Asia 2026 serve as a perfect platform for exchange the experiences, best practices, and promoting effective cooperation across borders, sectors and generations.
Objectives
-
- Provide a platform for youth activists, organizations, and constituency representatives from across the globe to exchange experiences, share best practices, and highlight impactful initiatives across different sectors and areas of environmental action.
-
- Foster dialogue and strengthen collaboration between youth constituencies and organizations engaged in key international environmental frameworks, including the GEF, UNEP, UNFCCC, UNCCD, and CBD.
-
- Amplify youth voices in global environmental governance by creating space for meaningful cross-constituency engagement and identifying shared priorities for collective action.
-
- Inspire and empower the next generation of environmental leaders by showcasing diverse models of youth-led advocacy, negotiation, and community-based solutions from around the world.
PROGRAM AGENDA
Date: June 4th, 2026
Time: 17:00- 18:00
Location: Main Stage, Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, Samarkand
Format: Panel
Moderator: Shahnoza Rakhmanova, YouthCAN International Affairs Manager and Climate Negotiator
Number of participants: 100
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 17:00–17:05 (5 minutes) | Introduction and opening remarks by the moderator |
| 17:05–17:10 (5 minutes) | Sagar Aryal Vice-Chair, GEF Civil Society Organizations Network Opening remarks about the role of civil society and youth in GEF processes |
| 17:10–17:15 (5 minutes) | Lobarkhon Jalolova Uzbekistan National Chapter Chair, YouthCAN Sharing best practices on global to national youth environmental action |
| 17:15–17:20 (5 minutes) | Leena Joshi Representative, UNEP Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) Sharing best practices on youth engagement in UNEP programs and processes |
| 17:20–17:25 (5 minutes) | Charles Zander DeLuna Representative, UNFCCC YOUNGO Sharing best practices on youth engagement in the UNFCCC global processes |
| 17:25–17:30 (5 minutes) | Juliet Grace Luwedde Representative, UNCCD Youth Caucus Sharing best practices on youth action in UNCCD land processes |
| 17:30–17:35 (5 minutes) | Heitor Dellasta Representative, UNCBD Global Youth Biodiversity Network Sharing best practices on youth engagement in UNCBD biodiversity conservation |
| 17:35–17:40 (5 minutes) | Marie-Claire Graf Co-founder and Director of CYNP, Youth Negotiators Academy Sharing best practices on youth integration into environmental negotiations |
| 17:40–17:43 (3 minutes) | Shahnoza Rakhmanova (Moderator) International Affairs Manager, YouthCAN Call for Action and announcement of opportunities for the global youth |
| 17:43–18:00 (17 minutes) | Q&A with the audience |