African youth unite at post-COP29 to demand land rights and climate action
Young African leaders, convened through the Youth and Land Multi-Stakeholder Platform in Africa (YLMPA), gathered in Nairobi for a post-COP29 regional workshop on customary tenure rights and agroecology. Under the theme “How to strengthen youth's land rights and impact on agroecology?”, participants united around a shared vision: land justice, climate justice, and intergenerational equity for Africa’s future.
Why these matters
Across Africa, young people are at the forefront of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Yet their voices are too often excluded from decision-making. During our deliberations, we raised urgent concerns, including:
- Climate and biodiversity crises are undermining ecosystems, food systems, and livelihoods.
- Land dispossession is often linked to extractive industries and large-scale, harmful projects.
- Limited youth inclusion in international climate and biodiversity negotiations.
- Undervaluation of Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices.
- Insufficient resources for youth-led institutions, innovation, and climate solutions.
Our commitments
As young leaders, we commit to:
- Strengthening youth institutions and innovation hubs on land, climate, and agroecology.
- Integrating land governance into climate, biodiversity, and desertification actions.
- Advocating for youth voices in national, regional, and global climate negotiations.
- Promoting creative and inclusive communication through arts, technology, and citizen journalism.
- Ensuring gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups in all our actions.
Our call to action
We call on partners at all levels to join us in securing a just future:
Governments
Enact youth-sensitive land laws, secure tenure rights, and ensure youth participation in climate decision-making.
Development partners
Provide flexible funding and technical support for youth-led climate and land initiatives.
Civil society
Partner with and amplify youth-driven solutions for climate resilience and agroecology.
Research institutions
Co-create knowledge with youth and uplift Indigenous practices for inclusive policy.
Private sector
Invest in climate-sensitive, youth-friendly, and rights-based models that uphold community land rights.
