LocationsBegim Zhanuzakova: Elevating Youth Voices in Climate Action
March 6, 2025
Begim Zhanuzakova
Begim Zhanuzakova represents youth-led climate movement in Kyrgyzstan. She has united young environmental leaders, professionals, and advocates to contribute to climate policies. Her efforts were instrumental in drafting a regional statement on climate change, which was presented at COP29 and COY17—COY19.
"Youth is playing their role in developing policies and solutions," says Begim. Across Kyrgyzstan, young people lead initiatives on reforestation, energy efficiency, and climate education. On a regional level, they collaborate through platforms like the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY), ensuring that youth perspectives are integrated into climate strategies.
Young people actively discuss issues of climate change, contributing their knowledge and professional development. Environment will be a source of future jobs. They help to search for green solutions and support initiatives in communities. Additionally, participation of young women, such as Begim, is growing in different sectors, where they share their knowledge and expertise to shape climate policies.
Young people help to search for green solutions and support initiatives in communities
Begim and her peers actively engage with governments. Under RCOY, they mobilized over 250 youth and children from nine countries—70% of them young women to conduct consultations for development of climate declarations.
“We equip young people with knowledge and create partnership for climate action. Over the past years, we have been supporting youth organizations—from drafting youth declarations to organizing educational events, workshops and projects for local communities,”says Begim.
Begim during the interview
As part of International Women’s Day, UNDP is celebrating women working in various fields, from climate action to justice and entrepreneurship. Begim is the climate change program coordinator at Unison Public Foundation, which works in the energy, climate and policy fields. She actively promotes the climate agenda and ensures that young people, especially young women, play a key role in building a sustainable future. By sharing her story, UNDP highlights the broader movement of women leading significant action toward gender equality and environmental resilience.
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