Morocco’s National Human Rights Institution held a meeting with 27 young people committed to fight climate change representing 17 Moroccan NGOs on Saturday 30 October 2021, at its Rabat Institute - Driss Benzekri for Human Rights in Morocco.

Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), Ms. Charafat Afilal, former Minister Delegate in Charge of Water, Mr. Simon Martin, British Ambassador to Morocco, and Mr. David R. Boyd, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, took part in this meeting.  

In her opening statement, Ms. Bouayach indicated that CNDH is an essential part in combating climate change. Thus, she stressed the importance of this event as an occasion to enhance CNDH interactions with young people. She said that young people are the most concerned with climate change now and in the future. They will face these challenges with their initiatives, mobilization and suggestions, etc.

CNDH Chairperson shed light on the necessity to open up for new thought and innovative solutions to ensure a reasonable and realistic foresight of all climate change challenges, particularly through enhancing the participation of young people.

Ms. Bouayach also welcomed the UN new Resolution 48/13 recognizing the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Within the same context, Mr. David R. Boyd, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, said that recognizing this right is an unprecedented historical move due partly to the strong mobilization and advocacy conducted by young people. 
He added that the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is legally protected in more than 80% of the countries, including Morocco through constitutions and legislations.

Ms. Charafat Afilal, former Minister Delegate in Charge of Water, highlighted CNDH’s openness and interaction with young people. She said that CNDH is a fundamental actor able to create change and play a crucial role in facing climate change issues. Ms. Afilal also added that young people are the generation who have the solution to stop crises resulting from climate change.

For his part, Mr. Simon Martin, British Ambassador to Morocco, noted the leading role played by Morocco and its efforts to counter climate change through undertaking national, regional and international innovative initiatives. He added that there are three objectives of the COP26. The first is respecting the Paris Agreement. The second is ensuring climate change adaptation and the third is guaranteeing concrete initiatives in key areas such as clean energy, unpolluted transportation, etc.

This interactive meeting culminated in the adoption of the "Declaration of Moroccan Youth Committed to Fight Climate Change".

It was an opportunity to address a detailed framework presentation on "Combating Climate Change: Developments at the International Level, Challenges and Prospects for Action" elaborated by Ms. Hajar Khamlichi, representing the Climate Action Network in the Arab World. A second presentation on the youth conference on climate change was also tackled at this event.