22 May 2026, Istanbul, Türkiye – In the lead-up to COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in 2026, Youth Center for Dialogue and Peace, CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR and Bahçeşehir University convened a session titled “Youth Leadership in Climate Action: From Advocacy to Impact” at Bahçeşehir University. Held within the framework of the Global Youth Summit for Sustainability 2026, the event brought together students, young climate advocates, academics, and United Nations representatives to explore the critical role of youth in shaping sustainable and climate-resilient societies.
The session centred on three interconnected objectives: strengthening youth participation in climate action, advancing dialogue on global climate processes, and examining how young people can meaningfully contribute to policy design and implementation.
The event started with brief opening remarks from Yama Sukhanyar, Executive Director of the Youth Center for Dialogue and Peace, who emphasized the significance of the conference as a platform for strengthening youth engagement in addressing global challenges. In his remarks, Sukhanyar underlined the vital role of young people in fostering dialogue, promoting peace, and contributing to collective solutions for the pressing issues facing the international community.
The event continued with an address by Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, who drew attention to the compounding pressures facing younger generations. Characterising the current moment as one of intertwined crises, he highlighted how climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality, rapid urbanisation, and technological transformation are reshaping daily life, cities, livelihoods, and future prospects in ways that are immediate rather than abstract. Dr. Ahonsi stressed that climate action must be understood not only as an environmental matter but as a question of development and justice, and that young people must be active co-designers of solutions rather than passive consultants.
He also pointed to the growing body of evidence of youth-led innovation worldwide, citing examples of young people developing climate applications, mapping flood risks, and deploying digital tools to hold decision-makers accountable. With COP31 on the horizon, Dr. Ahonsi underlined that the significance of the moment lies not only in international negotiations, but in whether real transformation can be accelerated at the national and local level, across energy systems, cities, food systems, and disaster resilience.
Welcoming the participants on behalf of Bahçeşehir University, Rector Prof. Esra Hatipoğlu took the stage and highlighted the university’s engagement with the United Nations system, as well as its commitment to international cooperation and sustainability. Noting that Bahçeşehir University serves as the host institution of CIFAL Istanbul, affiliated with UNITAR, Prof. Hatipoğlu emphasized the university’s ongoing efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals through education, partnerships, and initiatives such as this conference.
After the keynote speeches, a panel discussion, moderated by Bülent Açıkgöz from UNRCO Türkiye, brought together practitioners working across climate transparency, youth engagement, and sustainability. Mr. Açıkgöz kicked-off the conversation by emphasising that climate action is not a standalone agenda but is deeply connected to all of the Sustainable Development Goals, and that intergenerational justice sits at the heart of climate governance given that today’s decisions will shape the rights, opportunities, and wellbeing of future generations.
Zeynep Bakır from UNDP Climate Hub addressed the scale and urgency of the global climate crisis and outlined how international frameworks such as the COP process and the Climate Promise initiative are supporting countries in developing more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions and long-term climate strategies. The discussion underscored the importance of translating global commitments into country-led, locally grounded climate action. Nilgün Çavuşoğlu from UNICEF Türkiye highlighted the importance of inclusivity and meaningful participation, particularly for young people from vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, affirming that intergenerational equity is a foundational principle of climate governance and that youth-led initiatives offer vital platforms for innovation, awareness-raising, and accountability. Kamil Koray Eryılmaz, Youth and Climate Envoy of Republic of Türkiye, focused on the bridging role of youth leadership across advocacy, academia, and policy implementation, calling for structured youth participation in the lead-up to COP31 where young people do not merely have a voice but actively shape climate policies and outcomes.
The event reaffirms the importance of climate action by placing youth agency and structured participation at the centre of global and national climate governance. Through its emphasis on inclusive and intergenerational policy processes, it also highlights the need for peaceful, just, and accountable institutions. Furthermore, the event reflects the broader value of partnerships by demonstrating how the United Nations system, academia, and youth actors can align around shared sustainability commitments in the critical run-up to COP31.
27 February 2025, Istanbul, Türkiye – As part of the ongoing CO-OP Responsibility Program, jointly organized by Darüşşafaka, Bahçeşehir University’s CO-OP Department, and CIFAL Istanbul, students had the opportunity to meet with CIFAL Istanbul team members for a powerful and interactive session focused on Sustainability and Climate Change.
The event featured by Ms. Aslıcan Açık, CIFAL Istanbul, Coordination and Organization Assistant Specialist, who delivered an inspiring presentation on the climate crisis, global environmental challenges, and the role of youth in shaping a sustainable future. Her session also included insightful data sharing and highlighted the need for collective climate responsibility and youth-led innovation. The program was further enriched by the contributions of Mr. Eren Yalınkaya, CIFAL Istanbul, Communication and Partnership Assistant Specialist, and Ms. Olca Sena Uçar, CIFAL Istanbul, Education and Project Assistant Specialist, who shared their personal journeys and reflections from the field of sustainability.
Held under the framework of the CO-OP Responsibility Program, the session aimed to raise awareness among high school students on critical global issues while encouraging them to think actively about climate action, social responsibility, and long-term impact. The engaging conversation reflected CIFAL Istanbul’s commitment to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by promoting inclusive, equitable, and empowering learning opportunities for all students.
“Creating awareness through education and encouraging youth to take action is a crucial step toward a sustainable future,” noted the CIFAL Istanbul team.
CIFAL Istanbul sincerely thanks Darüşşafaka, Bahçeşehir University CO-OP, and UNITAR for their collaboration in organizing this meaningful exchange. Equipping students with knowledge, awareness, and inspiration is a vital investment in a more resilient and environmentally conscious generation.
Türkiye’s leading Civil Society Organizations made an important call for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP 29 to be held in Azerbaijan on November 11-22, hosted by Bahçeşehir University and CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR.
Strategic Assessments Ahead of COP29
In October, civil society organizations, experts and academics came together for at Towards COP29: Civil Society Evaluates round table meeting to discuss COP29 priorities at a meeting hosted by Bahçeşehir University and CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR. The meeting emphasized the view that Türkiye’s climate goals can be achieved through an inclusive and transparent approach, and by valuing different perspectives. The common responsibility in the fight against the climate crisis was underlined.
At the meeting, Özlem Katısöz, Climate and Energy Policy Coordinator of the European Climate and Action Network, and Barış Doğru, Editor-in-Chief of EkoIQ, presented a comprehensive analysis of Türkiye’s climate policies after COP28. It was stated that a more realistic and achievable roadmap for the gradual reduction of fossil fuels is needed to realize Türkiye’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2053.
It was stated that a more realistic and achievable roadmap for the gradual reduction of fossil fuels is needed to realize Türkiye’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2053. It was also stated that Türkiye is at an important point in terms of renewable energy capacity and investments.
It was proposed to strengthen cooperation to achieve climate goals and to establish platforms that will ensure continuous dialogue and information sharing with the participation of civil society organizations, academia and the private sector.