by Vikrant Srivastava The UNFCCC’s SB62 session in Bonn closed under the shadow of persistent divides on finance, adaptation, and the energy transition. While technical progress was made in several areas, including the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), political fractures and entrenched positions dampened hopes for major breakthroughs before …

A Divided House in Search of Common Ground at UNFCCC’s SB62 Read More »

by Lucia Ene-Lesikar (Chair, Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network – CYCN), Bodh Maathura (Policy and Advocacy Lead, CYCN), Ashraf Nehal (Asia Regional Lead, CYCN) Introduction: Marking a Decade of World Youth Skills Day July 15, 2025 marks ten years since the United Nations General Assembly established World Youth Skills Day. The theme this year, “Youth …

World Youth Skills Day – July 15 Read More »

by Muskaan Anand, Asia Regional Representative, Commonwealth Youth Council The youth of Asia are no strangers to adversity, but what defines them is not the weight they carry, but the will with which they rise. Amidst uncertainty and shifting realities, they are choosing action over apathy, courage over indifference. Nowhere is this resolve more visible …

From Echoes to Impact: How Young People Are Leading Climate Action in Asia Read More »

by Jasmine Koria On the 27th of May 2025, the government of the Independent State of Samoa announced to a stunned public that it had, for the first time in at least four decades, failed to pass a national budget for the new financial year. This comes after months of tense exchanges on the floor …

Snap! It’s Election Time in Samoa  Read More »

by Dassia Regalado, CYCN Communications & PR Assistant Lead Each year on May 31, World No Tobacco Day highlights the serious health risks associated with tobacco use. From cancer to heart disease, the harms are well-documented. But this year, we’re shifting the lens. While health remains a critical focus, the environmental impact of tobacco farming …

COP30: Uncovering Tobacco’s Hidden Environmental Cost  Read More »

Climate change constitutes the defining public health crisis of our era, exerting disproportionate impacts on youth populations across the globe. Within the Commonwealth, young people – comprising over 60% of the population – are not only among the most vulnerable to climate-health risks including rising mental health burdens, heat stress, and vector-borne diseases, but also …

Commonwealth Youth issue statement on Youth Inclusive Climate-Health Financing Read More »

by Ayesha Ali, Maxencia Nabiryo, Bhavna Halai, Yifan Zhou Across the globe, health systems are facing unprecedented challenges – from critical workforce shortages and increasing migration to widespread burnout and deepening health inequities. As we collectively seek sustainable solutions, it is clear that both seasoned policymakers and emerging young professionals must be integral to these …

Bridging Generations: Shaping the Future of the Global Health Workforce in the Commonwealth Read More »

by Lucia Ene-Lesikar When we talk about the climate crisis, carbon emissions and extreme weather dominate the conversation. But an essential part of the solution is often missed: biodiversity. Every May 22nd, the International Day for Biological Diversity reminds us of the deep interconnection between nature and humanity. This date commemorates the adoption of the …

COP30: We Cannot Afford to Ignore Biodiversity Read More »

by Aurore Teta Ufitiwabo Rwanda is known around the world for its clean streets and environmental policies. But behind this green reputation are ordinary people making extraordinary contributions. On this World Environment Day, we shine a light on some of them who remind us that real change often begins with small, consistent acts. In the …

World Environment Day: My Local Environmental Champions Read More »