Local Conference of Youth Mauritius 2026 puts youth at heart of climate action

The Junior Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mrs Eileen Karen Lee Chin Foo Kune - Bacha, called on young Mauritians to become active partners in shaping the country’s response to climate change, emphasising that their ideas, energy and innovation were essential to building a more resilient and sustainable future.

She was speaking at the opening of the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Mauritius 2026, on Saturday 05 September 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre in Bell Village. The two-day event brought together young people to discuss climate challenges facing Mauritius, identify youth priorities and formulate concrete solutions.

The Acting High Commissioner of Australia, Ms Kate Varian; the Ombudsperson for Children, Mrs Aneeta Ghoorah; representatives of the United Nations; as well as other stakeholders attended the opening ceremony.

Addressing the young participants, Junior Minister Foo Kune-Bacha emphasised that young people were not merely victims of a climate crisis they did not create, but were innovators, advocates and ambassadors of change who must be involved in decisions shaping their future. She highlighted that Mauritius’ third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC3) included a dedicated section on children, youth and gender, recognising both their vulnerability to climate impacts and their contribution to adaptation and mitigation.

The Junior Minister observed that, as a Small Island Developing State, Mauritius was particularly exposed to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, stronger cyclones, torrential rainfall, flash floods, landslides, drought and extreme heat. She thus reaffirmed Government’s commitment to climate mitigation and adaptation, highlighting Mauritius’ NDC3 commitment to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2035.

Junior Minister Foo Kune-Bacha further underlined that the transition towards a greener and low-carbon economy offered significant opportunities for young people in renewable energy, clean transportation, green technologies, sustainable waste management and climate-smart agriculture. She encouraged the youth to develop the knowledge and skills required to become innovators and drivers of the country’s sustainable transformation.

The Acting Australian High Commissioner, for her part, encouraged participants to be ambitious and bold, while underlining the importance of youth leadership and regional cooperation in advancing climate action. She moreover underscored the importance of treating young people as partners in shaping solutions rather than merely as beneficiaries.

A major outcome of LCOY Mauritius 2026 would be a National Youth Statement, consolidating the priorities, recommendations and solutions identified by participants. The Statement will subsequently be taken forward to COP31 in November 2026, enabling the voices of Mauritian youth to contribute to international climate discussions.

07 September 2026

Email: gis@govmu.org

Website: https://gis.govmu.org

Mobile App: GIS News

Topics: None

Back