Kevin Lunzalu, CSP class of 2023 and co-founder of the Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network, spoke February 17, 2024 during the official opening session of the Youth Environment Assembly at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, on behalf of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network. Kevin is a persistent advocate for coastal sustainability that centers justice for vulnerable communities and he spoke on the crucial need for a collaborative approach in tackling current crises, including plastic pollution. Follow Kevin on LinkedIn where he posted,
“The Global Youth Environment Assembly (GYEA) convened by the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP is a testament of youth driven collaboration and advocacy. Rooted in the imperative of meaningful youth engagement, this assembly provides a unique platform for young environmental enthusiasts and policy advocates worldwide to converge, exchange ideas, and influence global environmental agenda. Building up on the success of its inaugural edition in 2022, ahead UNEA 5.2 and UNEP@50, the Global YEA continues to gain momentum as a cornerstone of youth engagement in environmental governance.With the 2024 edition strategically scheduled ahead of OECPR and UNEA6, the assembly will play a pivotal role in aligning youth perspectives and priorities with the overarching theme of “Effective, Inclusive, and Sustainable Multilateral Actions.”
The Global YEA 2024 will bring to Nairobi over 300 youth in-person from across the world and aims to amplify their voices in the global environmental decision making platform, catalyze innovation, and foster collaboration towards a more just, equitable, and sustainable future. With intergenerational equity as a guiding principle, the assembly stands poised to make significant strides in advancing environmental multilateralism and ensuring that youth remain at the forefront of global efforts to address environmental challenges. At the opening session, we seek to have a fusion of high level keynote addresses from invited guests and capacity development of the youth delegates to make them acquainted with the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP and its thematic focuses.”