Bhubaneswar: To share key takeaways and experiences from the recent Conference of Parties 29 (COP29) held in Baku, a dissemination meeting was organized by Youth4Water Plus, with support from UNICEF Odisha, today at the Press Club in Bhubaneswar.
Addressing the event, William Hanlon Jr., Chief, UNICEF Odisha, emphasized the critical role of young people in addressing climate challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He stated, “youth participation in global platforms like COP29 is vital for driving meaningful progress on climate resilience and sustainable development. UNICEF is proud to support initiatives like Youth4Water Plus, which empowers young people to lead innovative climate. Their passion and creativity instill hope for a brighter and inclusive future.”
The event showcased inspiring presentations by four young climate activists of Youth4Water Plus —Stalin Nayak, Indumati Nanda, Punyasloka Panda, and Pritish Nayak— who recently participated in COP29. They shared their experiences from the conference, highlighting key takeaways and their ongoing innovative efforts to build climate resilience and sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, youth advocate Punyasloka Panda shared, “Attending COP29 was a powerful reminder that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but also change-makers of today. Through Youth4Water Plus, we proved that local solutions could drive global impact.”
Shipra Saxena, WASH-CCES Specialist at UNICEF Odisha, highlighted the impact of youth engagement, stating, “The journey of Youth4Water Plus exemplifies the transformative power of young leaders.”
The meeting marked a significant milestone in youth-led climate action and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) advocacy in Odisha, emphasizing the transformative power of youth engagement in addressing global challenges.
