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Climate change

UNESCO Hosts Model Climate Change Conference for Youth in Greater Bay Area

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has organized a Model Climate Change Conference of the Parties - Greater Bay Area (MCOP-GBA 2025) to bring together 116 youth delegates from over 30 secondary schools in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. The conference, held from June 21 to 22, 2025, provided an immersive platform for students to simulate global climate negotiations, promoting multilateral diplomacy skills and climate education among the youth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conference, jointly hosted by UNESCO and Tsinghua University, convened 116 youth delegates from over 30 secondary schools across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
  • The delegates, representing national teams, drafted position papers, negotiated bloc policies, and produced over 10,000 words in formal resolutions.
  • High school student Chen Weijie shared the experience, stating that role-playing as a national delegate deepened his sense of responsibility as a global citizen.
  • The conference included side events such as the Climate Voice Wall and Climate-Action Puzzle Hunt, testing delegates' teamwork, adaptability, and policy knowledge.
  • Partners including Shenzhen Press Education Media Group, Nexus, and the Greater Bay Area Model UN Organising Committee co-organized the event.
  • Educators and mentors praised the conference's role in cultivating global awareness and leadership among young participants.

Statistics:

  • 116 youth delegates from over 30 secondary schools across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao participated in the conference.
  • The conference produced over 10,000 words in formal resolutions.
  • 98% of delegates participated in the simulations, with many praising the professionalism of the student-led events.
  • Since its inception, the UNESCO-Tsinghua University climate diplomacy initiative has reached over 800 students from 20 countries.

Sources:

  • UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia
  • Tsinghua University - Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development
  • China Youth Development Foundation - Mercedes-Benz Star Fund
  • Shenzhen Project Care Foundation - Youth Leadership Fund
  • Shenzhen Press Education Media Group
  • NEXUS
  • Greater Bay Area Model UN Organising Committee

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