UNICEF: Bangladeshi Children Call for Climate Action And Intergenerational Solidarity on World Children’s Day

Bangladeshi children sounded the alarm on climate change and called for immediate action at the landmark Children's Climate Summit.

The summit on Friday resulted in the adoption of the Children's Climate Declaration, which was addressed to national leaders in a spirit of intergenerational solidarity, reports UNB.

The Declaration calls on decision-makers to minimize deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions; to invest in education, training and the green economy; and to shield children from the impacts of climate change, UNICEF said on Sunday.

Over 1 million children have been active in the preparations for the Children's Climate Summit as part of the UNICEF Generation Parliament Digital Network, which ties children to policies and actions that affect their future.

The virtual Summit, hosted by UNICEF, brought together 300 “child parliamentarians” representing all constituencies in Bangladesh to debate climate issues, policies, and actions to safeguard their future.

“Our country is on the front line of climate change. Sea level rise, erosion, pollution and extreme weather jeopardize our survival, wellbeing and future. Children must be consulted on policies and decisions that impact our future. There is no time to lose,” said Ridwana Islam (15), a Child Parliamentarian from Dhaka.

“The climate emergency requires bold leadership as we battle against the clock. We must look to children and young people for inspiration, courage and vision.

UNICEF works to make it possible for Bangladeshi children to be part of the societal decision-making process on climate change issues as they have a clear effect on their future," said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh.

The Summit was chaired by Mr. Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Member of Parliament (MP) and President of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, with the participation of child climate activists, parliamentarians and climate stakeholders from across Bangladesh, as well as the Government, civil society and the development community.

“Today children have taught us that our youngest citizens should play key role in shaping climate policy. It will be my pleasure if I could make a commitment to the Children’s Climate Declaration in the near future at the Parliament,” said the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Fazle Rabbi Miah, MP. 

The interactive summit was the first gender-equal child parliament in Bangladesh with a 50 per cent representation of girls and a 50 per cent representation of boys aged 13 to 17.

The Summit brought together young climate campaigners across national and social divides.

Together, the children delivered a clear message to Bangladeshi leaders: “Our futures are intertwined and our planet is shared. We must act now to confront the climate crisis and we, the children, must be part of the solution.”