Vanuatu Signs The Declaration On Children, Youth, And Climate Action
by UNICEF · SCOOPPort Vila, Vanuatu, 21 September 2026 – The Government of Vanuatu signed the Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action, joining more than 75 countries and territories worldwide in committing to place the rights, needs, and voices of children and young people at the centre of climate policies and action.
“The Government of Vanuatu recognizes that children and young people are an integral part of the national climate actions and policies, which is why their voices have to be placed at the forefront of national adaptation plans, locally-led resilience projects, and landmark international legal actions,” said the Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, as he signed the Declaration during Vanuatu's annual Conference of Youth.
As one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, Vanuatu's children are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Nearly half of Vanuatu's population is under the age of 18. Between 2008 and 2020, an estimated average of 5,700 children were displaced each year due to weather-related disasters, while approximately 58,000 children required humanitarian assistance following Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin in 2023. Nearly 90 per cent of schools are exposed to drought risk, and more than one-third face recurrent flooding.
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The Declaration is the first global commitment focused on putting children and young people at the centre of climate action. It supports governments to better consider children's needs and voices in climate policies and decisions. UNICEF is working with governments, including Vanuatu, to help turn these commitments into real action for children.
“From stronger cyclones to water shortages to rising sea levels, children and youth in Vanuatu are living with the impacts today. That is why it is so important that young people have a say in the decisions that will affect their future,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Representative, Hamish Young. “UNICEF commends the Government of Vanuatu for taking this important step, and for recognising the value of young voices."
Following the signing ceremony, young people participating in the Conference of Youth presented a petition to the Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, calling for stronger youth participation in climate decision-making processes. The petition reflects growing momentum among young people across Vanuatu to help shape solutions to the climate challenges affecting their communities.
“It is important for young people to have a voice in climate and decision-making because it will help other youth to see the importance of climate change and its impact on our country and communities,” said 19-year-old, Brenda Jimmy, from Lelepa Island, Efate. “Please listen to young people and make our future a priority."
The signing of the Declaration, together with the voices and priorities emerging from the Conference of Youth, builds on Vanuatu's longstanding leadership on climate justice as well as its efforts to protect future generations.
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