SECS Takes a Leading Role in COP 29
This year SECS sent 6 participants from the Action for Regional Climate Project (ARCH) along with the two project’s staff to attend the second week of COP29 from the 18th to the 22nd of November. SECS implemented a side event in partnership with other international NGOs, furthermore representative of SECS and ARCH had a chance to meet different national and regional Actors. Three of the 8 participants of SECS were supported by the UNDP, Sudan Office.
Side event:
SECS co-facilitated a “Youth-Driven Innovation: Tackling Climate Challenges Head-On” session on the 19th of November. Leaders of international youth organizations convened at the event to discuss ways to address climate challenges, such as the inclusion of the corporate sector, social impact projects, and technological innovation.
At the onset of the event, the SECS projects coordinator introduced the Society and the ARCH project to the audience. Furthermore, two participants from the ARCH project presented the policy papers’ ideas and recommendations that they have been working on over the past year.
Lastly, the side event partners launched the “Green Spark” Initiative, uniting China’s green civil society activities and opening them up to global concepts.
Meeting with Dr. Mohieldin Eltohami:
Dr. Mohy Eldeen Tohami, the Director of Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), had a productive discussion with the youth from the ARCH project and project staff. The participants shared their policy recommendations, and Dr. Tohami provided them with insightful feedback. Additionally, he connected the participants with the IGAD youth representative.
Meeting with Dr. Balgis O. Elasha:
The ARCH project’s SECS representatives also had a fruitful discussion with Dr. Balgis Elasha, the African Development Bank’s regional coordinator, who discussed various avenues for the bank to provide funding to youth-led organizations.
Meeting with Prof Moawia Shddad:
A former SECS President and one of PACJA’s founders, Prof. Shddad, of the University of Khartoum, also met with the team. He encouraged their policy suggestions and gave an overview of the overall negotiation’s progress.
Meeting with Ms. Lina Yasin:
Additionally, the participants met Ms. Lina Yasin, a researcher from the International Institute for Environment and Development, who gave them insightful criticism on their papers.
Meeting with Dr. Mona Ali Mohammed:
Lastly, the ARCH representative met with Dr. Mona, the Secretary General of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, who encouraged their efforts and achievements thus far.
