The Climate Security Advisor/UNOCA, Mabaye Dia, took part in the 2nd African Climate Summit held from 8 to 10 September 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During the Summit, young people from the Congo Basin adopted and issued a powerful Declaration reaffirming their commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, peace, and security. Coming from one of the world's most ecologically vital regions, they highlighted how environmental disruptions are severely impacting their lives, through malnutrition, school dropouts, violence, and trauma. They emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the resilience of their communities in the face of a climate crisis that worsens inequality and fuels social tensions.

In response, they called on Governments, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector to meaningfully include youth in climate and peacebuilding strategies. Their demands include targeted training, support for youth-led local initiatives, effective participation in decision-making spaces, and official recognition of the vital role of young people. Through their Declaration, they expressed their determination to take concrete actions for a sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive future in the Congo Basin, Central Africa and beyond.

DOWNLOAD THE DECLARATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE CONGO BASIN ON THE NEXUS CLIMATE, PEACE AND SECURITY (FRENCH)