COP28: Two Child Parliamentarians Supported by Save the Children South Sudan in Dubai
By Save the Children
The 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) is currently taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 30th of November to the 12th of December 2023. The COP28 brings states together to act towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The priority for Save the Children’s engagement at COP28 is our advocacy in line with the COP28 risk framework and approach, thought leadership and partnerships. The objective is to increase climate political commitments to children and their rights, including through children’s own views
and recommendations.
On 9th December 2023, Amoko, 15, from South Sudan will join Faith and the Blue Frontier to raise the voices of South Sudanese Children on Climate, Justice, and Stewardship in Aquatic Ecosystems (Food Systems and Food security in the context of climate change. Prior to his departure, Amoko, said he is very excited to represent the voices of South Sudanese at the COP28 in Dubai.
“I am excited to learn more about climate change , I encourage children to take action and become ambassadors of climate change. Take action, protect the environment, don’t throw plastics anyhow, we only have one planet to live in we must therefore protect the environment planet”, said Amoko.
Meanwhile on December 11th 2023, Naomi, 13, from South Sudan will join a general discussion on how we can integrate children’s perspectives into climate action”. Ahead of the discussion in Dubai, Noami encouraged people to protect their environment.
“Never let the climate overcome you, overcome the climate, we own the environment, and we need climate Justice, said, Naomi.
Climate change is a concern in South Sudan. Floods and drought are a chronic and acute problem during rainy and dry seasons and poor waste disposal degrades the environment. This happens every year at different intensities, often submerging villages and destroying shelters, farm crops, WASH and health facilities, education activities, roads among others.
Save the Children continues to put children’s voices in front and in the centre of our climate advocacy and campaigning, acting as a platform to amplify their views and demands. Core to our approach is supporting and empowering children’s campaigns, acting as a positive ally and partner to children, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries, fragile settings, and those children most impacted by inequality and discrimination.
Recently, Save the Children South Sudan piloted and coordinated a child parliamentary initiative in five of the country’s 10 states. The ultimate goal is to establish a national “Child Parliament” in the country in collaboration with other child-focused organizations and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.
