On 1^st and 2^nd of October, UNFICYP’s Civil Affairs hosted the first group of young Cypriots who wanted to join hands and contribute to the fight against the climate crisis and increase the island-wide debate on the issue and empower young Cypriots to have a voice with the establishment of the Local Conference for the Youth in Cyprus – an LCOY.

LCOY is an event under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its aims to be a space to boost youth climate action locally and create an input into the international conferences. It represents a national version of the international Conference of Youth (COY), which takes place immediately before the Conference of Parties (COP), the annual UN-Climate Conference.

During the 2-day event held at Ledra Palace Hotel inside the UN buffer zone, the youngsters had the opportunity to discuss how to write effective policy papers, build their capacity for environmental advocacy in Cyprus and share views in different working groups.

For the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, the "protection of the environment can bring youth, civil society, and experts across the divide together and increase collaboration,” he stated at the opening of their first conference on the island.

UNFICYP’s Civil Affairs is responsible for the facilitation of activities that promote harmony and reconciliation between the two communities. These inter-communal activities include support for the preservation of common cultural heritage, promotion of inter-communal dialogue through cultural, environmental and sport events, and facilitation of essential services for both communities through cooperation at the technical level.

The Local Conference was supported by UNFICYP, in cooperation with the British Council and the British High Commission in Nicosia.