This BRS COPs Side Event was organized by AKO Foundation, IPEN, Young volunteers for the Environment, Center for international environmental law, with logistical support from the Geneva Environment Network. This session discussed enabling young people’s active participation in the National Implementation Plan and Strategies of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions for sustainable development.

According to the UN Global Youth Report, the active engagement of youth in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and stable societies, and to averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of climate change, nature environment and pollution, gender inequality, conflict, and migration.

The United Nations system-wide Youth Strategy, Youth2030, was launched with the firm conviction that young people in all their diversity need to be full-fledged partners in the work of the United Nations and in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Critical to the success of the 2030 Agenda are the role of young people in engaging with local and national government in delivering on policies and programmes on the ground.

Therefore, national, and regional efforts are needed to create environments conducive to youth participation, engagement and development via education, health, employment and reduced exposure to negative activities.