On the occasion of International Youth Day (August 12), UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of 14 young climate leaders from around the world to his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. Among the newly appointed members is Farzana Faruk Jhumu, a youth climate activist from Bangladesh.

Previously, Jhumu served as a UNICEF Youth Advocate for Bangladesh from 2022 to 2024. Her journey as a changemaker began in her first year at university, when she co-founded the youth platform Kagojer Kathi (Kaathpencil). Her work eventually led her to focus on climate justice while working with marginalized children affected by environmental changes.

She later became involved in the global Fridays for Future movement, actively representing youth from MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas) regions which are most vulnerable to the climate crisis. She is currently serving as a Program Coordinator for the People’s Climate Diplomacy Program, where she continues her advocacy on climate resilience and youth engagement.

This year, the Secretary-General expanded the advisory group from 7 to 14 members, reflecting the growing need for youth leadership in addressing the climate emergency. “The fearless activism of young people has been vital in tackling the climate crisis,” said Guterres. “That is why I am expanding my Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change from 7 to 14 members.”

The advisory group will support the UN Secretary-General by offering concrete solutions, fresh perspectives, and advice on key climate issues. The new members were selected to ensure regional, gender, and experiential diversity, representing young climate leaders from across the globe.

This announcement comes on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a milestone moment when all countries are required to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned with the 1.5°C target. As the climate crisis accelerates with increasing frequency and intensity, the leadership and voices of young people are more critical than ever.

The 14 newly appointed members of the UN Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change are:

Angela Busheska (North Macedonia), Ashley Lashley (Barbados), Axel Eriksson (Sweden), Charity Ropati (United States), Farzana Faruk Jhumu (Bangladesh), Okalani Mariner (Samoa), Sibusiso Mazomba (South Africa), Txai Suruí (Brazil), Jaggi Beryan (Indonesia), Zuzanna Borowska (Poland), Jabri Ibrahim (Kenya), Marcel Beudevig (Germany), Okalani Mariner (Samoa), Lena Goings (United States)