The 2nd Regional Conference of the Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum (YCDF), under the auspices of the UNESCO Chair for Climate Diplomacy of EKPA, took place on October 17 and 18, 2025.
More than 100 participants from Southeast European countries – Greece, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Slovenia and Kosovo – students, young professionals, emerging leaders and civil society organizations – were in Athens for the Conference.
The central message of the conference was the phrase: “Let’s start now to turn even more ideas into actions.”
The conference opened on Friday 17 October with an opening event that included institutional greetings and a high-level keynote address.
Keynote Speaker Lefteris Arapakis, Co-Founder of Enaleia & UN Young Champion of the Earth (Europe) spoke about Enaleia’s mission to restore the marine ecosystem and shared three valuable tips for young people: focus on actions where they can affect change, start somewhere with small, local, but meaningful steps and cooperate since only together with others can they achieve something truly important.
Professor Emmanuela Doussi, holder of the UNESCO Chair for Climate Diplomacy at EKPA, pointed out: “Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. Intergenerational solidarity means talking to young people and sharing responsibility for the future. Their active participation in policy-making is essential – and this is what we promote through the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy.”
Marian Wendt, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Greece and Cyprus, underlined: “Climate action is not an abstract issue; it is about the peace, prosperity and justice of the future. Democracy in Europe requires responsible governance, social cohesion and sustainable development. The climate offers enormous potential for regional cooperation.”
Dimitris Kollias, Advisor to the Undersecretary for Environment and Energy and European Climate Pact Ambassador, said: “The world urgently needs solutions for the environment – for all generations. Young people offer ideas, energy and determination for an inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.”
Rania Papadopoulou, Chair of the YCDF, while coordinating the event, emphasized: “The YCDF goes beyond borders, creating a stronger and more resilient region in Southeast Europe. The voice of the new generation is being heard, but cooperation with the older generations is required. We, the new generation, don’t wait for change – we are the change.”
On Saturday 18 October, young leaders, experts and policy makers participated in panels and interactive workshops on critical issues such as climate governance, green and just transition, energy diplomacy, regional cooperation and youth actions. The YCDF Conference highlighted the importance of youth active participation in addressing the climate crisis, cooperation across borders and shaping a new generation of leaders who turn their ideas into action.
The second Regional Conference of the Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum (YCDF) was held with the support of: Aegean Airlines, Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Greece and Cyprus, Hellenic American Union, Europa Experience, Top Lines Travel Agency, The Body Shop, Boukia and Sychorio Catering (Ilias Mamalakis), Yiannis Mantakas Studio Photography, Lucia’s Cleaning, Gkremos Audio Visual, Balkan Youth Cooperation, UNICEF Greece, EU Youth Hub, ODETH and PSPA MUN Society.
Source: Skai
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