The Second Local Conference of Youth (LCOY Azerbaijan 2026) commenced in Baku on September 11.

The two-day event brought together young climate leaders from across Azerbaijan, representatives of government institutions and international organizations, and leading experts from the country.

The main organizer of LCOY Azerbaijan 2026 is the EcoSphere Environmental-Social Center, which focuses on sustainable development, environmental education, and youth participation in environmental decision-making. For the second consecutive year, the organization has been selected by YOUNGO’s LCOY Working Group to organize the conference in Azerbaijan.

The conference is supported by the FAO Representation in Azerbaijan, academic partners ADA University and Baku State University, and the Regional Development Public Association, which is helping engage young people from the regions in the conference.

The first day of the conference, including the opening ceremony, was held at ADA University. Speakers at the event included ADA University Vice-Rector and MP Fariz Ismayilzade; Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev; UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 and MP Nigar Arpadarai; Baku State University Vice-Rector Shahin Panahov; Deputy FAO Representative in Azerbaijan Bariz Mehdiyev; and others. The speakers highlighted the leadership role of young people in addressing climate change and the importance of their participation in decision-making processes.

The official ceremony concluded with an online video message from Professor Matteo Vittuari, Dean of ADA University’s School of Agricultural and Food Sciences.

The second day of the conference, held on September 12 at BSU’s Quba Educational-Practical and Recreation Center, was dedicated to drafting the National Youth Statement with the participation of young people from various regions of Azerbaijan.

LCOY is organized as part of the global youth engagement process supported by YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), providing young people with a platform to contribute to national and global climate policy discussions.