The roundtable discussion will be submitted to the UNCCD COP16 Fourth Youth Forum’s Joint Statement will take place in December 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. https://www.unccd.int/cop16/programme/special-side-events/youth-forum. The Forum will focus on: Land jobs of the future and the sustainable use of land; Green economy and youth employment; and Engagement of the youth in advocating for the protection and rehabilitation of the land. Registration for Youth Forum: https://shorturl.at/Bi275

Today, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population (UN, 2024). The global youth employment scene has improved over the past few years but 65 million young people are still out of work (World Economic Forum, 2024). Young people are not only victims of climate change. They are also valuable contributors to climate action, agents of change, entrepreneurs and innovators. Whether through education, science or technology, young people are scaling up their efforts and using their skills to accelerate climate action. The discussion will provide insights into global youth expectations, challenges and opportunities in Green Employment and COP16. “Youth Action for Land: Working for Resilient and Sustainable Futures”