NEW DELHI : The United Nations has expanded its Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change from seven to 14 members, but the latest cohort announced today does not include a single representative from India — the world’s most populous country and home to the largest youth population.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres named the group on International Youth Day, calling it a “bigger table for young voices” to advise him on accelerating climate action. Members come from across regions, with a range of identities, expertise and activism experience.
The omission of India — a key player in global climate negotiations, the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and a leader in renewable energy deployment — has raised questions about the representation of Global South youth in high-level climate forums.
India has more than 600 million people under the age of 25 and a growing number of young climate leaders, from grassroots campaigners restoring mangroves in the Sundarbans to innovators developing low-cost solar solutions for rural areas. None were selected for the UN panel, which will provide “practical, outcome-focused advice” on achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal.
“Leaving out the country with the world’s largest youth population undermines the diversity the UN says it wants to reflect,” said environmental policy analyst Sanjeev Jasrotia.
Analysts say the absence could be due to limited visibility of Indian youth activists in international networks, nomination pipeline gaps, and geopolitical balancing in UN appointments.
Climate policy experts warn the lack of Indian voices could weaken the representation of Global South realities — particularly the balance between development needs and emissions reductions — in the group’s recommendations.
Advocates are urging the Indian government to act by:
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Building an official roster of young climate leaders for international nominations.
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Supporting global media exposure for rural and regional climate campaigns.
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Pressing for equitable regional representation in UN youth bodies through diplomatic channels.
The 14 members of the new Youth Advisory Group are:
Angela Busheska (North Macedonia) – Climate-tech innovator and AI researcher who developed TerraTrace to help farmers comply with EU deforestation rules. Founder of EnRoute, a global youth-led nonprofit exposing the environmental toll of fast fashion.
Ashley Lashley (Barbados) – UNICEF Youth Advocate and founder of the HEY Campaign, the world’s largest youth-led movement on climate and health. Runs Eco Fit Youth, promoting environmental stewardship through fitness for Caribbean children.
Axel Eriksson (Sweden) – Environmental justice educator and Training Manager for the Climate Youth Negotiators Programme, mentoring 300+ young negotiators from 60 countries. Former Swedish UN Youth Delegate for climate and biodiversity.
Charitie Ropati (United States) – Indigenous Yup’ik and Samoan civil engineer working on water infrastructure for rural Alaska Native communities. Recognized by WWF and the Center for Native American Youth for her climate and education advocacy.
Farzana Faruk Jhumu (Bangladesh) – Former UNICEF Youth Advocate and Fridays For Future MAPA coordinator focused on climate-affected children. Program coordinator for the People’s Climate Diplomacy Program, training young negotiators worldwide.
Jabri Ibrahim (Kenya) – Climate and energy policy expert connecting African youth movements with policymakers. Chevening Scholar and former UN Climate Change High-Level Champions Africa team member.
Kantuta Diana Conde (Bolivia) – Aymara Indigenous rights advocate representing youth voices at UN forums. Former co-chair of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, promoting self-determination in climate action.
Lena Goings (United States) – Fridays For Future NYC organizer campaigning for fossil fuel divestment and climate resiliency funding. Helped pass state legislation raising $75 billion from polluters for community projects.
Marcel Bodewig (Germany) – Amnesty International activist advancing climate and human rights advocacy in Germany. Holds a master’s in public international law and leads an expert group on climate crisis impacts.
Okalani Mariner (Samoa) – Artist, poet, and co-founder of Onelook Studio, Samoa’s first creative coworking hub. Samoa Country Coordinator for 350 Pacific Climate Warriors, advocating for frontline Pacific climate justice.
Sibusiso Mazomba (South Africa) – Youth advocacy lead at African Climate Alliance and junior negotiator for South Africa at UN climate talks. Key figure in the #CancelCoal campaign that stopped new coal projects in 2024.
Txai Suruí (Brazil) – Paiter Suruí Indigenous leader and founder of the Indigenous Youth Movement of Rondônia. Coordinates Kanindé, a group defending Indigenous lands in the Amazon for over three decades.
Zagy Berian (Indonesia) – Founder of the Society of Renewable Energy, mobilizing Indonesian youth for sustainability. Supports youth-led climate justice projects in South Asia and advises the G20 Energy Transition Working Group.
Zuzanna Borowska (Poland) – Founder of Open Dialogues International, fostering climate dialogue in 50+ countries. European Climate Pact Ambassador and organizer of Poland’s first Local Conference of Youth.
“Without India at the table, the conversation on climate justice is incomplete,” said youth activist Ananya Sharma.
