Cairo, 1 October 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt and the British University in Egypt (BUE) concluded the fifth edition of the COP Simulation Programme, bringing together 150 students from 43 countries and 115 universities to develop climate policy proposals and strengthen their skills in international negotiations.

The programme combined scientific research, policy writing and simulated negotiations, giving participants practical experience in developing negotiating positions, working across national priorities and finding common ground. This year’s cohort included students from 25 Egyptian universities.

The closing ceremony featured a vote on the COP31 Simulation Declaration, which sets out the students’ proposed solutions to climate challenges. The programme’s recommendations and outcomes are expected to be presented at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026.

H.E. Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, joined the ceremony as the principal guest of honour. She highlighted the programme as an example of cooperation between government institutions, universities and international development partners. She stressed that effective climate action depends on investing in people and knowledge, alongside policies and strategies, and welcomed the programme’s role in helping young people understand negotiations and develop shared solutions.

Ambassador Wael Abouelmagd, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development, said the programme gave students practical experience in multilateral diplomacy, including listening to different perspectives, understanding national interests and building trust. Emphasising that “the real work begins when negotiations end”, he underlined the need for agreements to deliver meaningful improvements in people’s lives and for young people to be prepared to help shape and implement climate action.

“Young people are not simply observers of the climate challenges we face, or recipients of decisions on climate. They are active partners in shaping solutions and turning them into reality,” said Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt. “Investing in young people and giving them opportunities to participate in negotiations, shape policies and take on leadership roles is therefore essential to building the skills and confidence they need to help advance climate action.”

“The participants’ ability to navigate complex negotiations and reach consensus on the provisions of the Declaration demonstrates that young people already have the tools and skills to lead climate action in practice,” said Dr. Abeer Shakweer, Inclusive Growth and Digital Transformation Team Leader at UNDP in Egypt. “This has grown beyond an academic simulation into a platform for developing integrated solutions and recommendations that connect development, economic and environmental dimensions. Together, these outcomes will provide a strong and influential youth voice that we hope to bring to the forthcoming Conference of the Parties in Türkiye.”

Dr. Sarah El-Khishin, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Data at BUE and Founding Director of the COP Simulation Programme, highlighted the initiative’s growth from an Egyptian programme into an international platform. She stressed the importance of ensuring that young people from developing countries and climate-vulnerable small island countries are heard in global climate discussions. She also called for policymaking grounded in science and data, and for climate finance to be delivered at the scale and on the terms countries need to support recovery and sustainable development.

The programme’s network now includes more than 40 professors and academics, 30 coordinators and experts supporting negotiating sessions and blocs, more than 20 policymakers and diplomats, and over 30 international and academic partners. Dr. El-Khishin emphasised the role of this growing community in preparing young people to help turn climate commitments into action.

Ahead of the closing ceremony, students presented findings from the programme’s Climate Finance and Debt and Just Transition research labs during a high-level dialogue with Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Chair of the High-level Expert Group on Debt. The discussion examined the feasibility of their proposals, covering climate finance, climate justice, debt resolution and a just transition, as well as the role of international and regional financial institutions and banks. Dr. Mohieldin expressed his hope of meeting the participants again at COP31.

Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen, Ambassador of Türkiye to Egypt, commended BUE and UNDP for giving students practical experience in climate diplomacy through research, training and negotiations. With Türkiye preparing to host COP31, he expressed his hope that participants would bring these skills to future international forums and contribute to the cooperation needed to address shared climate challenges.

Other guests at the closing ceremony included Ambassador Amre Moussa and Ambassador Nabila Makram, both members of BUE’s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, former Minister of Youth and Sports.

BUE, led by Professor Mohamed Loutfi, President and Vice-Chancellor, and Farida Khamis, Chair of the Board of Trustees, hosted this year’s programme in collaboration with UNDP in Egypt and Akdeniz University in Antalya, Türkiye, its academic partner. The programme was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates; the Ministry of Local Development and Environment; and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency.

Established alongside Egypt’s presidency of COP27, the programme has run for five consecutive years, connecting academic research with climate diplomacy and preparing young people to contribute to international climate dialogue and action.