by Amera Mohammed
I am an Egyptian Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) activist and an upcoming graduate in mechanical design and production engineering, with a passion for business development, recycling, renewable energy, sustainability, climate action, green hydrogen, green fashion, and women’s empowerment. I am also a member of the EGYouth4Climate policy and advocacy committee and have worked as a Project Developer at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation (MYF). Over the years, I’ve contributed to international organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and served as Chairwoman for IEEE Women in Engineering. Additionally, I’ve held roles as an ambassador for YouthProAktiv and as a policy paper analyst with YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Growing up in rural Egypt, I’ve always known the struggle of trying to balance my dreams with the harsh realities of life. As a young woman, my path has been filled with challenges, but my passion for both education and climate advocacy has been my guiding light. This year, I was thrilled to receive a Blue Zone badge for COP29 from FAWCO and YOUNGO. YOUNGO is a vibrant, global network of children and youth activists that empower youth to formally bring their voices to the UNFCCC processes. I had also received a similar badge for COP28, an acknowledgment that my voice and work mattered on the global stage, but couldn't attend in person. Like many young leaders from the Global South, the dream of attending these conferences in person felt out of reach.
The cost of traveling internationally remains one of the most significant barriers to youth from the Global South. For me, financial constraints combined with the pressure of being a final-year Mechanical Engineering student meant I simply couldn’t travel to Azerbaijan for COP29. To make matters more difficult, COP29 happened right when university exams were in full swing, forcing me to choose between my education and my dream of being a part of the global climate conversation.
However, even though I couldn’t be there physically, I didn’t let that stop me. I took full advantage of the virtual opportunities, diving into sessions on the UNFCCC platform. I joined discussions that were close to my heart, for example, the Ocean Dialogue on Climate Ambition and Finance. In the Ocean Dialogue, we focused on elevating climate ambition and mobilizing finance for ocean resilience. I also shared the key messages of the informal summary report of ocean and climate change, and participated in talks on the role of faith in climate action, and debates on how we can push for faster transitions to renewable energy. These were the conversations that I, as a member of Egypt’s National Committee for Youth and Climate, had been fighting for. These were the spaces where youth like me could be heard, where our voices and ideas mattered.
As a youth delegate, I stood strong for one key cause: more representation for young people in decision-making. I voiced the urgent need for solutions to overcome the barriers we face in adopting renewable energy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and collaborated with global delegations to create new partnerships that put youth at the center of climate action.
As powerful as virtual participation was, it couldn’t replace the value of being there in person. The conversations that happen face-to-face, the networking, the chance to look someone in the eye and truly advocate for your community are things that I missed. It’s a gap that highlights a bigger issue: young voices from regions like mine need more support. We need dedicated funding to ensure we can participate in these conversations meaningfully.
I also remember the chance I had to attend COY19 (19th Conference for Youth held in Baku on 7-9 November 2024) as a delegate, but again, financial and academic struggles kept me away. I couldn’t be there physically, but my heart was with the discussions, especially those focused on the struggles of indigenous peoples and the underprivileged. I joined virtually, participating in sessions that focused on their experiences and challenges.
Despite all these barriers, I’ve never felt more determined. The struggles I’ve faced only make me more passionate about fighting for the underserved, for those who don’t have the privilege to speak at the table. As a young woman from the Global South, I believe in the power of education, innovation, and collaboration to create real change. I remain dedicated to building a greener future for my lovely country Egypt and the world. I will keep pushing forward, using my experiences to drive action, and working towards a more inclusive, sustainable future for everyone. I am really grateful to FAWCO for giving me this opportunity, and I hope to be able to send you my thanks and regards next time from Rio de Janeiro.☺️