Romanian youth will have their voice heard on the global stage at the upcoming UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, as the National Youth Action Plan on Climate Change (PNATSC), officially launched on Thursday in Bucharest, will be presented as part of the Global Youth Statement – the main international position paper of young people coordinated by YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Attending the launch event, Minister of Environment, Water and Forestry Diana  Buzoianu said that “For the first time, Romanian secondary environmental legislation will benefit from the direct input of climate change experts,” and explained that a new working group will soon be set up to draft regulations aimed at protecting Romania’s forests, which are increasingly affected by climate change.

“Our forests are drying out year by year because the species currently growing in many areas can no longer withstand the changing conditions. We must act both to preserve what can still be saved and to plant species resilient to new temperatures. This is the first time climate experts have been directly involved in drafting environmental legislation,” Buzoianu said.

The minister also emphasised that climate change and digitalisation are the two defining challenges for future generations. “I’m glad to see such an engaged and vocal generation when it comes to the environment. What we do today will matter enormously twenty years from now,” she added.

Through this initiative, the contributions of children and young people from Romania will be integrated into the international climate negotiation process and global action priorities – marking an important step for youth participation in policymaking.

The launch event, held at the headquarters of the National Meteorological Administration, was organised by the Youth Platform for Sustainability (PTS) with the support of the French Embassy in Romania, the French Institute, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, and UNICEF Romania, under the aegis of LCOY (Local Conference of Youth) Romania 2025.