Who We Are

About CYMG​

 

Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) is a globally recognized umbrella mechanism representing youth networks, organizations and individuals committed to addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

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As the formal youth engagement mechanism to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), CYMG plays a vital role in advocating for the inclusion, empowerment, and meaningful participation of young people in global environmental governance and the environmental dimension of sustainable development agenda. Established as one of the nine major groups through Agenda 21 of the Rio Conference in 1992, CYMG has been at the forefront of advocating for the inclusion, empowerment, and meaningful participation of young people in UNEP’s intergovernmental processes and related environmental and conservation initiatives within the broader UN system.

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CYMG pursues its mission through four key avenues: policy advocacy, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and youth engagement. By conducting consultations and organizing meetings, CYMG actively promotes the involvement of youth at all stages of decision-making and raises awareness about the various channels available for youth participation. Through these efforts, CYMG is committed to enhancing the meaningful engagement of youth in shaping a sustainable future.

 

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Primary Engagement Avenues:

 

The engagement avenues encompass various processes convened or led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), those involving UNEP, as well as related environmental processes that may interest members while respecting the mandates and work of different youth constituencies: 

 

• United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA): This includes its subsidiary organs, regional preparatory processes, and the implementation of adopted UNEA resolutions.

• Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Administered by UNEP: Such as CITES, CMS, Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol, etc.

• Science-Policy Interfaces and Assessment Processes Supported by UNEP: Including IPCC, IPBES, IRP, GEO, Adaptation Gap Report, Emissions Gap Report, Global Chemicals Outlook, Global Waste Management Outlook, etc.

• Other Multilateral Environmental Processes and Initiatives Facilitated by UNEP: Examples include Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, UNEP Regional Seas Programme, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, UNEP Finance Initiative, Faith for Earth Initiative, International Days, etc.

• Any Other UNEP-led Initiatives: Covering any additional initiatives led by UNEP.