COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and is the United Nations' annual conference on climate change, held each year in a different host city. Since the first COP was held in Berlin in 1995, the COPs have provided an opportunity to review the progress made by the Parties (the signatory countries) and to assess the progress achieved. It is also where negotiations are held on the measures needed to continue reducing emissions. They are an essential tool for assessing the progress made to date and defining the results to be aimed for in order to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
The COP has three main components: negotiations, exhibitions and side events. The host country appoints a COP President to oversee the negotiations. The negotiations are the main part of the event: the first week is generally devoted to technical negotiations led by government representatives, while the second week focuses more on high-level ministerial meetings and meetings of heads of state.
Read the COP28 press release Read the COP29 press releaseThe next COP (COP30) will be held from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. Luxembourg's climate negotiators will be taking part in the COP and will be arguing in favour of an ambitious approach to climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as climate financing for the most vulnerable nations.
Climate Youth Delegates
The Climate Youth Delegate Programme
The Climate Youth Delegate (CYD) programme in Luxembourg is a political education project aimed at creating, strengthening and supporting Luxembourg youth ambassadors to ensure that the voice of young people in Luxembourg on climate issues is heard on the international stage.
Youth delegates are young people who officially represent the interests of their country's youth at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. They are selected to accompany their government's national delegation to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November.
The role of youth delegates is to support their delegation on issues at the intersection of youth and climate strategy, and to participate in the general work of their delegation by taking part in informal meetings and negotiations.
The Luxembourg Climate Youth Delegates will have the opportunity to meet youth delegates from all over the world. One of the objectives of the UNFCCC COP is to promote youth empowerment in the fight against climate change through events, workshops and activities organised by young people. Young people have a role to play in promoting the global fight against climate change.
For more information on the programme, please visit jugendrot.lu.
Discover our Climate Youth Delegate Luxembourg 2025-2026
Lara grew up in the Éislek (Luxembourg Ardennes), in the heart of the forests and fields, where she cultivated a deep respect for nature from an early age. Today, at the age of 25, this commitment is reflected in her studies and work on environmental issues.
Convinced that young people must play an essential role in the fight against the climate crisis, the collapse of biodiversity and pollution, she is actively involved in various initiatives. As a teenager, she joined the Youth Parliament and, in 2022, had the honour of being a Youth Delegate to the United Nations. She continues her involvement with the European Sustainable Development Network Youth Group, where she works to implement concrete solutions for a sustainable future.
Lara is currently completing her Masters in Sustainability Governance, a programme that combines environmental science with political and social issues. Through her research into climate finance and the Climate Clubs, she is deepening her expertise in order to contribute to more ambitious policies.
«The environment and intergenerational justice are at the heart of my commitment. Young people must have a strong voice in the decisions that will shape their future. Many are frustrated by the slow progress on climate protection, but there are also many who are actively involved in making things happen. I want to be their spokesperson and convincingly defend their interests when it comes to climate action.»
Sarah is a 21-year-old medical student with a passion for the intersection between health, climate and public policy. Her academic career at St. Andrews, Dublin, has deepened her understanding of these issues and fuelled her commitment to scientific research and environmental activism.
In addition to her medical studies, Sarah has spent the last few years volunteering as a correspondent and speaker for several non-profit organisations. She has covered topics such as science diplomacy between Asia and Europe, health technology, as well as AI-based health policies in the Baltic States. These experiences have given her a broad perspective and allowed her to explore various healthcare systems from a technological, diplomatic and climate perspective.
Her research work on health systems development has also been recognised-this year, her project on community eye care services and primary care development in sub-Saharan Africa was selected by the Jonk Fuerscher competition committee. Involved in this competition since high school, Sarah has had the opportunity to compete internationally, becoming a finalist at the Intel Regeneron ISEF in California and winning a prize at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists.
Sarah is currently conducting field research in East Africa, studying how refugees with terminal illnesses interact with health services. However, she is looking forward to returning to Luxembourg to begin her term as Youth Delegate for Climate.
«Taking part in COP30 in Brazil is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the position of Luxembourg's youth on the world stage. The climate and the issues addressed give us hope that we can commit ourselves to major changes and that we will be aware of the importance of this relationship. I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained from my research during my term of office, and to stimulating discussions that will add value to environment and development policy.
Jugendrot
The Luxembourg National Youth Council (Jugendrot) is the umbrella organisation for youth organisations in Luxembourg. It has over 30 member organisations (political parties, trade unions, student unions, scout movements, youth associations, etc.), which are active in a wide variety of areas of the youth sector. The Luxembourg National Youth Council is a privileged discussion partner for ministries and other official actors on youth-related issues, thus advocating the opinions and interests of young people in Luxembourg and Europe.