Head of UNPOG was invited to deliver a presentation at the 2019 Environment Forum for International University Students, co-organized by Daejayeon—an environmental movement NGO consisting of university students around the world, Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, and Korea University on 25 September 2019 at Korea University in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

 

Under the theme of “1.5°C & Green Campus”, the objectives of the Forum included i) enhancing awareness of university students on the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level, from the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released in 2018; ii) discussing the role of university students in achieving the 1.5°C goal; and iii) exchanging good practices by university students around the world in contributing to the achievement of the 1.5°C goal.

 

The Forum was attended by 700 university students from Korea and abroad, as well as experts and representatives from diplomatic missions in Korea, government agencies, academia, and other environmental NGOs.

 

The Head of UNPOG delivered a presentation entitled "Inclusive Governance and Role of Youth for Achieving the 1.5°C Goal and the SDGs", highlighting SDG 16 as the fundamental basis for achieving all other Goals including SDG 13 on climate action. Critical role of youth as proactive governance actor, particularly in addressing the climate change challenges was also emphasized. The presentation then highlighted the important role of the UN as a platform for global cooperation for climate action and UN's strong endeavour to promote engagement and empowerment of youth in addressing the climate change issues as well as SDG implementation.

 

Participation of UNPOG/DPIDG in the Forum provided an important opportunity to raise awareness to young students on the SDGs and introduce UNPOG/DPIDG's youth engagement activities, including the upcoming "3rd Youth Forum on SDG Implementation" to be held in November.