Climate Change: National Youth Declaration to Represent Mauritius at COP30

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the national youth declaration on climate change for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) was presented in Port Louis by representatives from the non-governmental organization Polyinventis and the National College Forum of Mauritius.

This initiative is a joint effort by the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Mauritius, in collaboration with the National Council for the Environment for Youth. Present at the event were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade, Ritesh Ramphul; the Deputy Minister for Environment, Solid Waste Management, and Climate Change, Ms. Joanna Bérenger; and the UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms. Lisa Simrique Singh.

In his speech, Ritesh Ramphul described COP30 as a pivotal moment to reaffirm our moral and political stance, emphasizing that climate justice must remain at the core of the global agenda. He stated that, in light of the challenges posed by climate change, Mauritius positions itself as a leader, committed to taking dynamic actions and keeping environmental sustainability at the heart of its development strategy.

"The government is now acting with urgency and conviction to ensure a safer, greener, and more resilient future for the next generations, highlighting that climate action is a collective mission, representing an opportunity to innovate and collaborate to build a better future for Mauritius," he declared.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that no policy or plan can succeed without the energy and creativity of young people. He reiterated the government's commitment to empower every young Mauritian to be an agent of change, a policy maker, and a climate champion.

According to him, the youth climate declaration is a statement of hope and responsibility, as well as a clear and ambitious message conveying the vision and commitment of young leaders towards the global community.

Ms. Joanna Bérenger praised the youth community's decision to act against climate issues, recognizing the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and the collective responsibility to make things right. She noted that the youth share the same concerns and priorities as the government, ensuring that their policies and aspirations align towards the same goal.

The Deputy Minister for Environment called for strong partnerships among all sectors and stakeholders, as well as the youth community, to enable Mauritius, as a small island developing state, to achieve impactful change.