Can Africa’s youth steer action on climate, peace and security?

African youth-led solutions must shape continental and global policy on these key issues.

Date: 2025-06-17

Time: 10:00 to 12:30

Venue: Future Africa, University of Pretoria and online via Zoom

Climate impacts are fueling instability and insecurity across Africa. At the same time, the global climate action agenda has lost significant momentum. Young people can help reverse these trends and shape the continent’s trajectory on climate, peace and security issues. 

This event marks South Africa’s youth month. Speakers will assess how young people already contribute to mitigation and climate-sensitive peacebuilding, and identify policy pathways to scale youth-led peace efforts across Africa.

Welcome: Fonteh Akum, Executive Director, ISS

Keynote: Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, Special Advisor to African Union Commission Chairperson on youth, women and strategic partnerships

Panel 1: Youth perspectives on the climate security risk context in Africa

Panel 2: Charting a youth-led continental climate, peace and security agenda

Closing: Dhesigen Naidoo, Head, Climate risk and human security, ISS


Download the full event programme here.