Taiwan, China youth appear at UN Climate Change Conference international press conference

A young person from Taiwan, China took the stage to speak at a press conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Taiwan, China is not a UN member, yet at this year's press conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the story of the destruction of Xiaolin Village was told, calling on all countries to take climate change seriously.

The 18th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP18) was held in Qatar from November 26 to December 7, 2012. Representatives of various countries gathered in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to hold consultations and negotiations on issues such as the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the climate fund and the Cancun Agreements.

The Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition (TWYCC), which traveled from Taiwan, China to the local area, sought to convey Taiwan's story within the International Youth Organization (YOUNGO) at the UNFCCC press conference before the conference began, and ultimately became the chosen subject, allowing young people from Taiwan, China to successfully appear on the world stage.

▲Youth representatives from 5 countries tell the stories of their own countries.

"This is the first time young people from Taiwan, China have appeared at a UN press conference. We did something that even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not do." Chang Liang-yi, chairman of the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition (TWYCC), who was also the delegation leader leading the group to Qatar this time, shared excitedly from the other end of the connection.

Before the formal conference began, the International Youth Organization (YOUNGO), initiated by young people from many countries, as well as young people from around the world, had already arrived in Qatar, accumulating the strength of youth teams outside the venue and launching the 8th United Nations Climate Change Youth Conference (COY8). Young people from Taiwan, China also successfully applied at COY8 for three side events: A Day on an Island, We Represent Climate Refugees, and How to Build a Grassroots Organization, and discussed various feasible treaty proposals for the future during the conference.

In the agenda of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP18) over the years, statute proposals discussed outside the venue by young people from various countries have also been adopted, becoming important references for promoting the convention in the future. Therefore, the first step taken by young people from Taiwan, China before this conference may also become an important basis for discussion at future conferences.

For more COP18 information, please follow the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition COP18 Special Section