Thailand Launches Youth Climate Council for Net Zero
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The Department of Climate Change and Environment partnered with UNICEF Thailand to launch the Thailand Youth Climate Council (TYCC) on October 26, 2026, mobilizing young people to drive the country's Net Zero goals. The kick-off event formally established a mechanism for youth participation, aiming to shift their role from climate-affected beneficiaries to equal partners in national and international climate policy. Director-General Dr. Pirun Saiyasitpanich presided over the ceremony, while UNICEF Thailand Deputy Representative Severine Leonard emphasized the importance of meaningful youth participation. Over 160 representatives from government agencies, the private sector, and youth climate networks attended the event at the department's headquarters.
Dr. Pirun Saiyasitpanich, Director-General of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, stated that developing human capacity is crucial for sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. As Thailand's focal point under the UNFCCC, the department has continuously prioritized youth as a key force for expanding cooperation and driving effective, sustainable climate action. In response to the principle of meaningful youth engagement and the Youth Statement, the department and UNICEF Thailand established TYCC to enhance youth roles in policy planning and activities alongside government and relevant agencies, providing a platform for youth to exchange views, perspectives, and policy proposals to address the global climate crisis at national and international levels.
UNICEF Thailand Deputy Representative Severine Leonard highlighted that youth are central to climate action from the outset, with some having participated in COP meetings and others leading community-based climate initiatives. She noted that youth demand more than meeting attendance; they want to co-design processes and influence decisions affecting their lives. With TYCC established as a formal mechanism, she expressed hope that it will amplify the voices of seldom-heard youth, including those in highland and coastal communities.
