Botswana’s young climate leaders stepped confidently into the national spotlight on 3 December 2025 as the Youth Climate Council Botswana (YCC), hosted by GAYO Botswana and supported UNDP Botswana, convened the Post-COP Youth Climate Action Forum under the theme “COP Reflection & Re-Focus: Shaping Botswana’s Youth Climate Imperative.” The gathering brought together senior government representatives, members of the diplomatic community, UN agencies, civil society, academia, and youth organizations to discuss how the global commitments adopted at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, can be translated into a practical and actionable national roadmap.
The forum drew strong engagement from high-level stakeholders. Prof. Patricia Mogomotsi, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, delivered the closing address, emphasizing the need for continued investment in youth-led climate initiatives. Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Lovita Ramguttee, UNDP Botswana Resident Representative, who underscored the importance of integrating young people into national climate governance structures. Mr. Balisi Gopolang, National Climate Change Coordinator at the Department of Meteorological Services, provided a national overview of Botswana’s involvement and priorities emerging from COP30. Representatives from the Zambia High Commission, the Algerian Embassy, and the British High Commission were also present, alongside partners from BNYC, UNICEF, BCCN, and several youth-led civic and climate organisations.
One of the central moments of the forum was the formal handover of the Botswana Youth Declaration on NDCs, Youth Integration, and Adaptation to Prof. Mogomotsi. Presented by the leadership of GAYO Botswana and youth representatives, the Declaration captures the voices and expectations of young people from across the country. It articulates their vision for meaningful participation in shaping Botswana’s climate policy direction, particularly in the development and implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Building on global youth perspectives presented at COP30, the Declaration represents a significant shift—positioning young people not as passive observers but as active partners in policy design, delivery, and accountability.
The success of both Botswana’s youth engagement in Belém and the national Post-COP30 Forum is strongly attributed to the leadership of Tinaye Mabara, Program Officer and YCC Coordinator. Mabara led the Botswana youth movement during COP30 in Brazil, ensuring that the positions, concerns, and ambitions of the country’s young climate actors were strongly represented on the global stage. Upon returning home, she played a pivotal role in coordinating the Post-COP30 Youth Climate Action Forum, working closely with teams at GAYO Botswana and UNDP Botswana to ensure that the outcomes of the global conference were effectively translated into a youth-driven national agenda. Her dedication, strategic oversight, and commitment to empowering young people have been widely acknowledged as key to the event’s success.
Throughout the day, discussions focused on how Botswana can transition from commitment to action. Speakers and participants explored strategies for embedding youth leadership within national climate processes, strengthening adaptation and resilience planning, enhancing partnerships across sectors, and improving monitoring mechanisms to track progress on NDC implementation. The forum emphasised that sustained engagement, transparency, and coordinated action will be essential in ensuring that global decisions evolve into local impact.
For GAYO Botswana, the forum represents both a milestone and a new beginning. National Director Bokang F. Basejane noted that the event highlighted the preparedness and determination of Botswana’s young people to lead national climate action. He expressed appreciation for the collective efforts of YCC Botswana, UNDP, and all partners who continue to champion youth inclusion across climate governance platforms.
As the Post-COP Youth Climate Action Forum concludes, it marks the beginning of a structured, youth-led advocacy process aimed at ensuring that the outcomes of COP30 inform real, measurable change in Botswana. The momentum generated in Gaborone signifies a renewed commitment by youth, government, and development partners to work collaboratively in driving climate action forward.
