Young climate activists rally in Dhaka ahead of COP30

More than 500 young climate activists from 13 youth organisations joined a demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday in solidarity with ActionAid Bangladesh, demanding a greener, fairer, and more equitable world.

With an aim to amplify the call for justice-centred climate action, the event was held ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held in Belém, Brazil.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the activists urged governments to end fossil fuel financing, divest from fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and ensure a sustainable, just future for all, according to a statement.

Reiterating the agenda for a just transition, the young activists called on world leaders to ensure that COP30 becomes a decisive moment for climate justice, particularly for communities in the Global South. They emphasised that global climate negotiations must not fail again, urging leaders to move beyond empty commitments and take concrete, justice-oriented actions with clear accountability.

The strike extended far beyond Dhaka, with young activists joining in from more than 24 districts, including Khulna, Netrokona, Bandarban, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh, Patuakhali, Bhola, Rajshahi, Manikganj, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Habiganj, Noakhali, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barguna, Kurigram, Teknaf, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar. Thousands of members of Global Platform Local Youth Hubs also took part, expressing solidarity with the global Fridays for Future movement.