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Officially Endorsed by YOUNGO · UNFCCC
LCOY Zambia 2026

29–31 July 2026 · Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia

From Local Action to a
Just Global Climate Influence

250 young Zambian leaders. 3 days. One position paper going all the way to COP31 in Türkiye.

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29 July 2026 · Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka
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29–31 July 2026
Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka
Zambia, Southern Africa
Free to Attend
Youth climate conference delegates in discussion
400+
Youth at RCOY 2024
60%
Zambia below poverty line
1M+
Farming households hit by drought
80%
Electricity from hydropower at risk
What is LCOY Zambia 2026

Zambia’s Youth Climate Voice — Heard Globally

LCOY Zambia 2026 is an official YOUNGO/UNFCCC-endorsed national youth climate conference. It’s where young Zambians transform lived climate realities into policy that reaches COP31.

  • ✓
    Draft Zambia’s National Youth Climate Position Paper
  • ✓
    Engage directly with policymakers, UN, and development partners
  • ✓
    Participate in a full COP simulation — negotiate like a real delegate
  • ✓
    Showcase your climate innovation to investors and partners
  • ✓
    Contribute to the Global Youth Statement at COY22 and COP31
Officially endorsed by YOUNGO LCOY Working Group · April 2026
2026 Theme
From Local Action to a
Just Global Climate Influence
Tagline: Children & Youth Empowerment for a Just, Resilient, and Sustainable Climate Future
Climate Finance
Advocating for equitable access to climate finance for youth-led enterprises and community initiatives.
Just Energy Transition
Pushing for renewable energy solutions that leave no Zambian community behind.
Nature-Based Solutions
Integrating indigenous and local climate knowledge into national adaptation strategies.
Loss & Damage
Demanding accountability and resources for communities already bearing climate impacts.
Gender & Inclusion
Centring young women, children, persons with disabilities, and rural communities in climate decisions.
Youth Position Paper
Producing Zambia’s National Youth Climate Position Paper — validated by 250 delegates, delivered to COP31.
Conference Programme

3 Days. Transformative Action.

Each day builds on the last — from context-setting and capacity building to innovation showcases and policy co-creation.

08:00 – 09:00
Registration & Networking Breakfast
Delegates arrive, register, and connect over breakfast hosted by the YPDP Secretariat.
09:00 – 09:20
Cultural Performance
Musical dance, cultural drama and poetry — Zambia’s story through art.
Opening
09:20 – 10:40
Official Welcome & Opening Remarks
Chairperson Esnart Njobvu, Ministry of Green Economy, ActionAid Zambia, UNICEF, UN Zambia — followed by the Guest of Honour, Permanent Secretary.
High Level
11:00 – 13:00
High-Level Panel: Youth at the Centre of Climate Action
“From Commitments to Impact: How Can Zambia’s NDCs and NAP Deliver a Resilient, Inclusive, Youth-Centred Future?” — 8 panellists including Ministry PS, UN, EU, House of Chiefs, YOUNGO Rep.
Panel Discussion
14:00 – 16:00
Understanding Zambia’s NDCs, NAPs & Climate Policy
Director, Climate Change Department — deep dive into Zambia’s climate commitments. Followed by YOUNGO Rep on the global UNFCCC framework.
Capacity Building
16:30 – 17:45
COP Simulation: Negotiating Zambia’s Climate Priorities
Delegates in negotiation blocs. Mock COP on climate finance, adaptation, just energy, loss & damage, and youth inclusion. Led by YOUNGO Trainers and former COP Delegates.
Interactive Simulation
08:30 – 09:15
Day One Recap & Energiser
Youth delegates recap highlights. Morning energiser activity to kick off Day 2.
09:15 – 10:30
Youth Climate Innovation & Solutions Exhibition
Youth innovators present their climate solutions — 3 minutes each. Walk-through of live innovations: renewable energy, agri-tech, waste management, and more.
Exhibition
11:00 – 12:45
Keynote + High-Level Panel: From Innovation to Impact
Keynote on climate justice, followed by panel: “How Can Climate Finance, Green Jobs and Climate Justice Support Youth-Led Solutions in Zambia?” — UN Zambia, ActionAid, Ministries, Private Sector, Youth Innovator.
Panel Discussion
14:00 – 16:00
LCOY Climate Justice World Café Dialogues
Thematic facilitated discussions: Climate Finance, Gender & Inclusion, Loss & Damage, Just Energy Transition, Indigenous Knowledge.
World Café
16:30 – 18:00
World Café Outcomes & Reflections
Generating recommendations for the Position Paper. Delegates share personal reflections on what must change for Zambia’s youth.
Synthesis
09:00 – 09:45
Energiser + Keynote: Youth Influence in Global Negotiations
“Strengthening Youth Influence in Global Climate Negotiations” — Youth Climate Champion, COY Representative, UN Zambia.
Keynote
09:45 – 10:30
Validation of World Café Outcomes
Validate all thematic recommendations and identify priority areas for the Position Paper.
Validation
11:00 – 13:00
Breakout: Zambia’s Youth Climate Demands for COP31
Technical Working Groups consolidate recommendations into thematic policy positions directed at global leaders and UNFCCC Parties.
Drafting Session
14:00 – 15:30
Position Paper Validation & Top 10 Demands
Review, refine, and validate the draft Position Paper. Identify the Top 10 Youth Climate Demands for COY22 and COP31.
Key Session
17:00 – 17:30
Adoption of Zambia National Youth Climate Position Paper 2026
Official adoption by all 250 delegates. Handover to YOUNGO Representative and Ministry of Green Economy and Environment.
Historic Moment
17:30 – 18:45
Launch of Youth Declaration & Closing Ceremony
Youth Representatives present Zambia’s collective climate priorities. Closing remarks from government, UN, and partners. Vote of thanks.
Closing Ceremony
Confirmed Participants

Voices in the Room

Government, civil society, UN agencies, development partners, and 250 young Zambian leaders — all in one space.

MG
Ministry of Green Economy
Permanent Secretary & Director of Climate Change
Government of Zambia
UN
United Nations Zambia
UN Resident Coordinator’s Office
United Nations
AA
ActionAid Zambia
Climate Justice Programme
ActionAid International
UC
UNICEF Zambia
Child Climate Vulnerability
UNICEF
EU
EU Delegation Zambia
Climate Finance & Development
European Union
HC
House of Chiefs
Traditional Leader Representative
Zambia Traditional Authority
YG
YOUNGO Representative
Global Youth Climate Movement
YOUNGO / UNFCCC
EN
Esnart Njobvu
Chairperson, Zambia Climate Change Youth Task Force
LCOY Zambia 2026 Host
Expected Outcomes

What LCOY 2026 Delivers

Concrete, measurable outputs — not just dialogue. Every session is designed to produce results that travel beyond the conference hall.

1
0
Youth & Children Trained
In climate governance, UNFCCC policy processes, and advocacy skills.
2
1
National Youth Position Paper
Validated by all delegates. Delivered to UNFCCC focal point and YOUNGO for COP31.
3
0
Indigenous Solutions Documented
Local climate practices integrated into conference outputs and the position paper.
4
0
Youth Innovations Showcased
Climate innovations pitched to investors, UN agencies, and development partners.
5
0
Partnership Commitments
Youth-led climate action partnerships formalised at or after the conference.
6
COP31
Global Representation
Zambian youth delegates carrying the position paper to COY22 and COP31, Antalya.
Zambia Climate Change Youth Task Force

8 Organisations. One Mission.

LCOY Zambia 2026 is hosted by a consortium of Zambia’s leading youth climate organisations — entirely youth-led, 100% youth-controlled programming and finances.

YPDP · Lead Host
Youth Projects Development Platform
Secretariat & Lead Coordinator
ACF
Agents of Change Foundation
Advocacy & Communications
YEFI
Young Emerging Farmers Initiative
Agriculture & Food Security
YUNA
United Nations Association of Zambia
International Relations & Policy
RYP
Rethink Youth Platform
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
CCCAA
Centre for Climate Change Action & Advocacy
Climate Policy & Research
CNCDA
Citizens Network for Community Development
Community Engagement
ZCCC / CFN
Children’s Climate Council – Care for Nature
Children’s Rights & Nature
Support Partners ActionAid Zambia UNICEF Zambia United Nations Zambia EU Delegation Zambia Ministry of Green Economy YOUNGO / UNFCCC
The Pathway

Lusaka to Antalya

LCOY Zambia 2026 is the first step in a clear pathway from local action to global influence at COP31.

Step 1
LCOY Zambia 2026
250 delegates draft and adopt Zambia’s National Youth Climate Position Paper. Lusaka, July 2026.
Step 2
UNFCCC Submission
Position paper handed to Zambia’s UNFCCC Focal Point and YOUNGO Global Youth Representative.
Step 3
COY22
Zambian delegates present at the Conference of Youth 22 — feeding into the Global Youth Statement.
Step 4
COP31, Antalya
Zambia’s youth demands amplified in the UN climate negotiations. Türkiye, November 2026.
Climate Art Exhibition
Echoes of Tomorrow:
A Visual Manifesto

A climate art exhibition running throughout LCOY 2026 — where young Zambian artists transform environmental data and lived experience into visceral, powerful visual statements.

Recycled sculpture from climate-impacted materials
Digital media and interactive installations
Photography documenting Zambia’s climate realities
Youth-led illustration and visual advocacy
Zambia nature and climate landscape
“While science provides the facts, art provides the soul necessary to spark systemic change.”
— LCOY Zambia 2026 Exhibition Brief
Climate Justice Youth Voice Indigenous Art
Registration

Join 250 Young Climate Leaders

100% Free to Attend — No Registration Fee

LCOY Zambia 2026 is open to children and youth across Zambia. Priority given to those with lived climate experiences, persons with disabilities, and youth with climate innovations.

Capacity Building
Real skills in climate governance, UNFCCC processes, and policy advocacy.
Real Policy Impact
Co-author Zambia’s National Youth Climate Position Paper — going to COP31.
Network & Partnerships
Connect with 250+ peers, government officials, UN agencies, and development partners.
Showcase Innovations
Present your climate innovation to potential investors and partners.
Express Interest
Registration details confirmed soon. Submit your interest to be first to know.
Your information is safe. LCOY Zambia 2026 does not share personal data without consent.
🎉
Expression received!
We’ll be in touch with registration details. Welcome to the movement.
Frequently Asked Questions

Got Questions?

Everything you need to know about LCOY Zambia 2026.

Is there a registration fee?⌄
No. LCOY Zambia 2026 is completely free to attend. All activities, sessions, meals during the conference, and materials are provided at no cost to delegates. This is a core principle of the LCOY charter — all LCOY activities must be free of charge.
Who can attend?⌄
Open to young people across Zambia, with priority given to youth with lived climate experiences, persons with disabilities, rural youth, young women, youth with climate innovations, and young indigenous community members. Targeting 250 delegates total.
What is the National Youth Position Paper?⌄
The Zambia National Youth Climate Position Paper captures youth demands on climate policy — covering climate finance, just energy transition, loss & damage, gender and inclusion, and indigenous knowledge. It will be submitted to Zambia’s UNFCCC Focal Point and presented at COY22 and COP31.
What is a COP Simulation?⌄
A mock version of the UN climate negotiations where delegates divide into country/regional blocs and negotiate on real climate issues. Run by YOUNGO trainers and former COP delegates, giving participants real exposure to how global climate policy is made.
Is there accommodation support?⌄
Accommodation details will be communicated to confirmed delegates. Delegates from outside Lusaka are encouraged to express interest early. The organising team will do its best to support participants, subject to available partner resources.
What is YOUNGO and why does endorsement matter?⌄
YOUNGO is the official Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC. The YOUNGO endorsement means our conference is officially recognised within the UN climate system — giving our position paper direct credibility and channels into COP31 negotiations.
Can I present my climate innovation?⌄
Yes! Day 2 features a Youth Climate Innovation Exhibition where innovators present in a 3-minute pitch format to delegates, potential investors, and development partners. Indicate your innovation on the expression of interest form.
Who is organising LCOY Zambia 2026?⌄
The Zambia Climate Change Youth Task Force — 8 youth organisations: YPDP, Agents of Change Foundation, YEFI, YUNA, Rethink Youth Platform, CCCAA, Citizens Network for Community Development Zambia, and Children’s Climate Council (Care for Nature Zambia). 100% youth-controlled.
Get In Touch

Contact & Follow Us

Email
lcoyzambia2026@gmail.com
We reply within 48 hours
Conference Dates
29–31 July 2026
3 full conference days
Venue
Radisson Blu Hotel
Lusaka, Zambia
Activity Leads
Patrick Mweetwa
& Mutetelenu Kalama
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