The 29th Lisbon Forum, a two-day annual event organized by the North-South Center of the Council of Europe and co-funded by the European Union, was held on October 16-17 at the Ismaili Center Lisbon. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKD) says the theme of this year’s forum was “Human Rights, Environment, and Economic Crimes: Youth at the Forefront”.
The forum reportedly emphasized the important role young people play as catalysts for change in addressing climate governance.
Discussions addressed the opportunities and challenges for youth engagement in climate governance; enhancing the understanding of the linkages between economic and environmental crimes; and the necessity for coordinated global action to combat corruption and economic crimes that worsen environmental degradation, such as illegal logging.
The Lisbon Forum is a platform to foster inclusive, intercultural dialogue and share experiences and best practices between Europe and other continents, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Africa and southern Mediterranean countries. Participants include senior representatives from international organizations, national governments, parliaments, local and regional authorities, and civil society organizations.
For almost thirty years now, the Lisbon Forum of the North-South Centre has provided something truly unique. It has brought together governments and parliamentarians, local and regional authorities, and civil society to address issues of deep and global importance.
2023 is on course to be the hottest year in history and southern and poorer regions are more exposed to the impact of climate change are the younger generations will suffer its impact harder and longer than their parents and grandparents. Many opinion polls have found that concern for the planet is greater among young people.
It is to be noted that as more than nine-tenths of Tajikistan's territory is mountainous, the country is prone to natural disasters that have increased in frequency due to climate change.
