Urban Youth Dialogue on Environment and Biodiversity: Catalyzing Youth Leadership for Climate-Resilient Cities
Dhaka, 14 March 2025 — In a landmark convening that emphasized the intersection of urban resilience, environmental sustainability, and youth leadership, theYoung Climate Action Network (YOUCAN), in partnership with theDhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and seven national youth and civil society organizations, organized theUrban Youth Dialogue: Environment and Biodiversity at the DNCC Auditorium.
The dialogue brought together over300 young changemakers from across Dhaka, building momentum for a youth-driven urban climate agenda in Bangladesh. The event served as a platform for cross-sector dialogue, participatory engagement, and institutional reflection on the role of youth in advancing urban biodiversity protection and sustainable development.
Institutional Commitment to Youth-Centered Urban Governance
The dialogue was inaugurated byMohammad Ejaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, who commended the collective energy and strategic thinking of the participating youth. In his remarks, he underscored the city’s readiness to engage youth as partners in co-developing inclusive and ecologically balanced urban policy solutions.
“Dhaka’s sustainable future depends on empowering its youth to act as co-creators of urban innovation. Today’s dialogue demonstrates that young people are not just the beneficiaries of policy, but architects of transformation,” he noted.
Youth Leadership and Policy Discourse
Representing the voice of the youth at the national level,Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas, Executive Director of YOUCAN and a prominent youth climate policy advocate, served as a featured panelist. Drawing upon his experience in local and global climate platforms, he articulated a call for embedding youth perspectives in municipal decision-making frameworks.
“We must redefine urban climate governance to be intergenerational, participatory, and grounded in equity. Youth are ready not only to engage but to lead—and institutional pathways must reflect this readiness,” Yudhishtir emphasized.
His statement was supported by a panel of experts and development practitioners who reinforced the urgency of integrating biodiversity into urban planning, particularly through the lens of climate justice and community resilience.
Multistakeholder Collaboration for Impact
This event was co-organized by a coalition of youth and environmental organizations demonstrating commitment to localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—specifically SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Co-organizers included:
- Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN)
- Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC)
- Brighters
- OAB Foundation
- YEDO
- Renew Earth
- Youth for Uplift
- Climate Frontier
The Urban Youth Dialogue is a testament to the value of collaborative, youth-led approaches in implementing Bangladesh’s climate and biodiversity priorities in urban contexts.
Community-Building and Inclusive Practices
In line with YOUCAN’s ethos of intersectional inclusion and cultural sensitivity, the dialogue concluded with a collectiveiftar gathering—honoring the spirit of Ramadan and promoting community cohesion among participants, organizers, and institutional stakeholders.
Towards an Intergenerational Urban Future
As Bangladesh’s urban centers face mounting environmental challenges, platforms like the Urban Youth Dialogue reaffirm the central role of youth in advancing participatory governance, ecosystem restoration, and long-term urban sustainability.
YOUCAN remains committed to ensuring that the voices of young people are embedded at the heart of climate, environmental, and biodiversity policy frameworks—both in Dhaka and across the nation.
