3 days ago
Morocco's Youth Come Forward in Climate Action as LCOY 2025 Concludes in Rabat
Rabat — Over 100 young Moroccans from all 12 regions of the country gathered at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) this week for the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Morocco 2025.
The event marked a significant moment for youth engagement in climate action as the country prepares for the upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil.
The three-day event, which concluded Friday at the Faculty of Governance, Economic and Social Sciences, brought together young leaders, experts, and decision-makers to address pressing environmental challenges and develop concrete policy recommendations that will be carried forward to the international stage.
In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), LCOY Morocco 2025 Communication Director Aya Alami said that it 'is not just an event for us, it's our chance. It's Morocco's chance to show the world that youth actually can make a change.'
The conference, endorsed by YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and supported by Morocco's Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, represents a crucial platform for amplifying young voices in climate policy. LCOY Morocco 2025 Communication Director Aya Alami
Bridging Local action with global impact
The conference's significance extends beyond national borders, serving as a preparatory platform for COP30, scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.
Event Director Fouad El Bouari pointed out the conference's role in creating a direct pipeline from local youth engagement to international climate negotiations.
'We gathered more than 100 youths from all over the 12 regions of Morocco to organize a conference about sustainable development in all thematics and topics regarding climate change,' El Bouari explained in an interview with MWN.
'The goal is to come out with logical recommendations that will be prescribed in the Moroccan statements presented to different decision makers and institutions.' LCOY Morocco 2025 Event Director Fouad El Bouari
The opening ceremony on Wednesday featured prominent figures, including Nathalie Fustier, Resident Representative of the UN System in Morocco, who delivered what organizers described as a 'compelling speech,' stressing the importance of youth engagement in climate action.
Comprehensive climate agenda
The conference tackled interconnected environmental challenges through specialized workshops and panels. The first day featured three parallel policy workshops examining the nexus between water, food, energy, and ecosystems; resilient communities and disaster preparedness; and green finance, jobs, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Notable experts participated throughout the program, including Rajae Chafil, former president of 4C Maroc Center and recognized climate change expert, who contributed to discussions on building climate-resilient communities.
'We had the first workshop on a Nexus between water, food, energy, and ecosystems to show how these themes are inherently connected and how one impacts the other,' El Bouari noted, pointing out the conference's holistic approach to environmental challenges.
The second day expanded the dialogue with panels covering water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), eco-responsible behaviors, climate crisis and conflict, and climate justice from a Moroccan perspective.
A unique feature was mock Conference of Parties (COP) simulations, allowing participants to experience international climate negotiations firsthand.
Youth engagement in political processes
A standout element of the program was dedicated sessions on climate and political parties, designed to increase youth engagement in Morocco's political landscape. El Bouari explained that this workshop aimed to include 'a type of body that doesn't vote enough in the Moroccan political landscape, to make them more knowledgeable about the political parties and their stances on climate change.'
The conference also addressed critical social issues, including safeguarding children's rights in a changing climate and exploring artificial intelligence's potential for social impact.
Building Networks for future action
The Youth Networking Gala for Climate Action, held Thursday evening, provided participants with opportunities to build lasting connections. Fatima-Ezzahrae Lammat, a second-year student at UM6P's Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences, argued about the significance of networking component in preparing future leaders. Fatima-Ezzahrae Lammat, a second-year student at UM6P's Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences
'What we are really trying to do is to empower youth and give them a voice on the platform, especially those who care a lot about the climate crisis, which is a very pressing matter in today's world and especially in Morocco,' Lammat said in an interview with MWN.
From local voices to global stage
The conference's outcomes will be consolidated into a comprehensive policy brief containing recommendations from all sessions and workshops. These recommendations will not remain merely academic exercises but will be integrated into Morocco's official positions for COP30.
'All those ideas will be gathered in one policy brief that will actually not just remain words on paper, but it will actually take place on the negotiation table at the COP,' Alami noted, stressing that the conference has a practical impact on policy-making.
As Morocco continues to position itself as a leader in African climate action, LCOY 2025 demonstrates the country's commitment to ensuring that young voices are not just heard but actively shape the policy decisions that will determine their environmental future.
The conference's legacy will extend far beyond its three-day duration, as its participants carry forward both the knowledge gained and the networks built to continue their climate advocacy at local, national, and international levels. Tags: climate changeMoroccan YouthMoroccoUM6P
