ROTA represents Qatar Youth at COP18

Voicing the opinions of Qatar's next generation of youth leaders on the international stage, six ROTA Youth Advisory Board represented members - Mohamed Al Hashimi, Dana Al Anzi, Obadah Diab, Ibrahim Yasser, Luma Diad and Nada Abdulhay - presented "GCC Youth Voices on the Transition towards Green Economy in the GCC Region".

The six ROTA Youth Advisory Board members began their COP18-CMP8 experience by showcasing outcomes from EMPOWER 2012 at the Conference of Youth 'COY8', a 3-day forum to prepare youth for effective COP18/CMP8 involvement.

"The role of youth is crucial in the fight against climate change," says Mohamed Abdulla Saleh, Director Nation Program, ROTA. "Through their involvement at COP18, ROTA Youth Advisory Board members demonstrated the ability of Qatari youth to take a leadership role in tackling issues which really matter to them."

Creating a comprehensive Green Transition Plan to ensure long-term sustainability of lifestyles, society, environment and values for the benefit of current and future generations, the GCC Youth Green Manifesto outlines a roadmap to creating green, sustainable economies based on greater regional cooperation, improved governance and increased public education on environmental issues.

In a region where economies are dominated by energy output, the GCC Youth Green Manifesto suggests developing a policy to ensure that 10% of Gulf region energy comes from renewable / sustainable sources by 2020; 20% by 2030; 50% by 2050.

As well as setting up job/income generation initiatives that conserve resources for future generations, the GCC Youth Green Manifesto calls on governments, the private sector and educational institutions to develop policies which transform economies into ones built upon diversified industries, agriculture and fisheries.
"Youth involvement in the topic of climate change - an issue that impacts me and possibly my children and grandchildren in the future in a negative way - is the reason I am here today, to contribute and provide as much as I can to this movement," said Reach Out To Asia Youth Advisory Board member Dana Al-Anzi during COP18.

Unsurprisingly, the GCC Youth Green Manifesto identifies schools and educational institutions as key locations in which to raise awareness, calling on regional governments, Ministers of Education and Culture and media organisations, university and school principals and teachers to introduce a Green Energy syllabus in all schools, universities and life-long learning programes.

Considering the role of regulators in enforcing sustainable development, the Manifesto outlines initiatives to educate consumers about the value of buying sustainable products, the need to ensure polluters are monitored, offering incentives to individuals who make sustainable purchasing decisions, and introducing incentives for architects, builders and owners who design, build and rent zero carbon buildings.

Recognizing the importance of regional research and development programs, the GCC Youth Green Manifesto recommends greater government investment in sustainable technologies research and linking universities and research facilities to create a single GCC sustainability research network.

"Participating at COP18 affirms the commitment of Qatari youth to support sustainable development and is in line with our Youth Development Goals which focus on assisting Qatari youth to rise to their full potential," adds Saleh.

Taking part at COP18 enabled Reach Out To Asia's Youth Advisory Board members to increase awareness of ROTA's upcoming EMPOWER 2013 Youth Conference amongst an international audience of youth delegates.

Building on the success of ROTA's youth initiatives in recent years, EMPOWER 2013 will focus on crucial environmental and sustainable development issues, with plans for two main themes: 'Water Cooperation in the Arab Region' and the 'United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation'.