Archana Soreng named by UN chief to new advisory group on Climate Change

New Delhi, July 28: In a major development, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday appointed Indian climate activist Archana Soreng to his new advisory group comprising young leaders on climate change. This is the first-ever Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change establishing by UN Secretary-General.

 

 

Archana Soreng will join six other young climate leaders from around the world who have been named by Guterres to his new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. She is experienced in advocacy and research, and she is working to document, preserve, and promote traditional knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous communities.

 

 

"We have seen young people on the front lines of climate action, showing us what world leadership looks like," Guterres said in a video posted on his Twitter account. He also said that young people are at the forefront of climate action and that nations and leaders show what courageous leadership looks like adding that the youth advisory group has been tasked with providing "perspectives, ideas, and solutions that will help us scale up climate action”.

 

 

Guterres’ announcement focused on the importance of the youth’s role and its engagement in UN climate recommendations. Talking about Archana UN said, "She is experienced in advocacy and research, and is working to document, preserve, and promote traditional knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous communities."

 

"Our ancestors have been protecting the forest and nature over the ages. Now onus on us to be the front runners in combating the climate crisis. I am happy and thrilled to share with you that I am selected in the 7 Member Committee of the United Nations Secretary General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change." Archana said adding that, " she is grateful to everyone for being instrumental in her life and journey. She said, "It is because of the struggles and Sacrifice of our ancestors, Family that I have been able to get an education and come so far."

 

The young activists, aged between 18 and 28, will regularly advise the UN chief on accelerating global measures and ambitions to deal with the worsening climate crisis. Apart from Archna, the new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change will also include climate campaigners from six countries Nisreen Elsaim from Sudan, Ernest Gibson from Fiji, Vladislav Kaim from Moldova, Sophia Kianni from the U.S, Nathan Metenier from France, Paloma Costa from Brazil.

 

The announcement marks a new effort by the United Nations to involve more young leaders in decision-making and planning processes as the United Nations works to mobilize climate action as part of the COVID-19 recovery effort.

 

The members of the Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change represent the diverse voices of young people from all regions as well as small island states. They will offer perspectives and solutions on climate change, from science to community mobilization, from entrepreneurship to politics, and from industry to conservation. The establishment of the group builds on last year's successful Youth Climate Summit. The first time a Secretary-General has convened a summit for young people entirely devoted to climate action.