Attending the 29th Conference of Parties (COP 29) for the full two weeks in November last year was a rollercoaster of emotions exciting yet overwhelming.
As a young climate activist representing Nepal, I was eager to immerse myself in the discussions and contribute to global climate advocacy. Yet, the disappointing outcomes made it difficult to process my experience. It took me two months to gather my thoughts and reflect on the highs and lows of the conference.
While the journey to get there was full of challenges, it left me with valuable lessons on the gaps we need to address to empower youth like me to take part meaningfully in such global platforms.
Nearly five years ago, I began my climate activism journey with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Campaign through Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA).
As a first-year Environmental Science student, I was fueled by a passion to make a difference in the world. Growing up in a small village surrounded by lush forests in eastern Nepal, I had always felt deeply connected to nature.
This connection inspired me to choose a subject for my studies that would keep me rooted in those memories, no matter where life took me. Back then, I dreamed of working directly with communities, supporting them during challenging times, and being part of their stories. I never imagined myself advocating for policies or stepping into international climate discussions that seemed far removed from the hands-on work I aspired to do.
That changed when I was entrusted with the role of Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator at NYCA in 2022. Though I initially found policies, acts, and conventions overwhelming and difficult to grasp, I gradually developed a deeper interest in them. My teammates believed in me, and I didn’t want to let them down. I immersed myself in learning about national and international climate policies, eventually discovering the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the significance of COPs.
I was fascinated by how global decisions, like the Paris Agreement at COP 21, came to life. I started to wonder: How are these decisions negotiated? How do 196 countries come to a consensus on such critical issues?
My curiosity only grew, and by the time COP 28 in Dubai approached, I decided to try and attend. It wasn’t easy as I had to work hard to secure a spot, with support from NYCA’s former Network Coordinator.
Still, I paid for more than half of my airfare, something I could barely afford. My family, despite their limited resources, encouraged me wholeheartedly.
Women at work
My father agreed without hesitation, and my elder sister helped me pull everything together. Even though I could only attend the final three days due to last-minute travel issues, those three days left a lasting impression.
I witnessed incredible unity among young people from all over the world and the power of youth-led actions. However, I came back feeling unsatisfied as there was so much to learn, and I felt I hadn’t experienced it fully. Even stepping into an informal negotiation room left me feeling lost, unsure of how to navigate the complex discussions taking place.
Coming back from COP 28, I realized something important, paying out of pocket to attend such a platform is never worth it, no matter how long you stay. Whether it’s one day, a week, or the full two weeks, if you’re not financially well-off, the burden of self-funding overshadows the experience. I made a promise to myself that I would never again spend my own money to attend COP unless I could comfortably afford it.
For COP 29, I started preparing much earlier. I explored the process of securing badges, sort of permits that allow participants to attend the events, a system itself quite complex because there are different types of badges, each of which gives access to certain areas where the proceedings unfold.
I also worked hard in trying to secure support for my participation, determined not to repeat my previous struggles. I began following the Bonn sessions, knowing that the draft texts discussed there would shape the final decisions at COP 29.
I even studied the Paris Agreement book I had brought back from COP 28 and carefully planned my schedule as the date approached. But despite all my preparations, none of the organizations I worked with agreed to fund my participation.
It was one of the most disheartening moments for me. I reached out to people I had collaborated with closely over the years, but the responses were not positive from any side.
At one point, I thought I might not attend, but a small glimmer of hope kept me going. Instead of seeking support from organizations, I shifted my approach and started applying to programs that could fund my participation and strengthen my capacity to attend.
That’s when I discovered the International Support for Local Activists Program (ISLA), which supported local activists from different regions of the world. After a competitive application and interview process, two of us were selected.
The news came on Dashain, and it felt like a blessing. To add to that, I also got the opportunity to participate in the 19th Conference of Youth (COY) that happened just before COP 29. Everything seemed to align, and I finally made it to COP 29. A few of my teammates also secured funding to attend, which made me even happier.
But being on my own in such a crowded place, surrounded by hundreds of side events and negotiations, brought its own challenges. As the National Network Coordinator of the largest youth climate network in Nepal, there was immense pressure on me to perform well and meet expectations.
At the same time, I was guiding my teammates, as it was my second time at COP. Though I felt the weight of responsibility, I was grateful for the support of my team.
This time, I focused on observing everything happening at COP, the actions, the protests, and the voices raised against the system. Youth were camping outside negotiation halls, pushing for trillions in climate finance.
Yet, the outcomes still didn’t reflect what we were fighting for and parties agreed on $300 billion annually. That’s when I realized something crucial: while actions and protests are powerful, being at the decision-making table is where the real change happens.
Negotiation is key if we truly want to be heard, but it’s not easy. It demands in-depth knowledge, experience, capacity, and relentless dedication.
This experience solidified my resolve. I promised myself to work harder, engage more deeply in negotiations, and continue my activism. It’s not just about raising our voices, it’s about ensuring that our voices influence the decisions that shape the future.
But coming from a country like Nepal, is it okay to dream of being part of the government’s negotiation team?
How realistic is it for a young person like us to even imagine that? The truth is, it’s not easy.
Nepal doesn’t have capacity-sharing platforms or opportunities for young people to learn about negotiations.
The preparation for COPs here starts just two months before the UN Climate Change Conference, and while the process has become more inclusive, involving diverse stakeholders and active participation from youth in the preparation of the country’s position papers, is that really enough?
It’s high time we go beyond token participation and invest in building the capacity of young people in this process. The government needs to empower youth as negotiators.
Imagine the strength and clarity Nepal could present on global platforms if young people were at the table, equipped with the knowledge and skills to represent the country effectively. We’re not just leaders of tomorrow, we are ready to lead today, given the right opportunities.
As Nepal prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) category, the stakes are even higher. A stronger Nepal on the global stage requires investment in its youth today. Invest in us, build our capacity, and see how we transform not just ourselves but the country’s future.
This is not just a plea, it’s a promise.
With the right support, we can make Nepal’s voice louder, clearer, and impossible to ignore.
The author is a climate justice activist and a National Network Coordinator at Nepalese Youth for Climate Action.
