Today Sergey Rybakov, General director of the Nature and People Foundation, held the session «Climate agenda: from Azerbaijan to Brazil». The interim results of COP29 and promising directions of discussions in Brazil were discussed.

Sergey Kononuchenko, Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, responsible for the climate agenda in the Ministry, Alexei Kokorin, climate on climate issues of the Nature and People Foundation, Ekaterina Spiridonova, member of the Public Council of Rosnedra, and Vladimir Vasiliev, Executive Director of the Northern Forum, took part in the discussion.

Sergey Kononuchenko noted that there are significant difficulties in resolving financial issues, which may not find a solution in Baku and complex negotiations will continue in Belem (Brazil). Let us hope that common sense will overcome doubts and disputes and a consensus between the leading countries will be found.

«What lessons are we learning in Baku and what would we like to go to Brazil with? The Northern Forum, as an international organisation of northern regions, is interested in strengthening the voice of the regions on the global COP platform and will do everything possible to make the Arctic Pavilion a permanent COP platform and organise the participation of regional heads to share their experiences of working to minimise the effects of climate change with the world. The year 2025 will be COP30 and 10 years since the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted in Rio. Therefore, it is important to discuss the implementation of the SDGs in Belem. How strong is the impact of climate change and should the SDGs be adjusted from this point of view? Undoubtedly, the Northern Forum is interested in strengthening the role of observers and increasing involvement in projects and activities to combat climate change at the regional level», shared Vladimir Vasiliev.

An excellent group of youth leaders from different countries at the session «Renewable Energy Gains momentum for sustainable development of local communities» considered all the benefits derived from the use of alternative energy sources, which, first of all, are useful for the energy supply of small forms of local communities, although in a sufficiently large volume are beginning to be used in large cities, companies, which brings us closer to the goal of achieving carbon neutrality. We would like to note the benefits of introducing green energy, but so far there are no alternatives to hydrocarbon raw materials, coal in the coming decades, as evidenced by the fierce struggle for their sources.

Clean Energy Ambassador Elizaveta Derevenets moderated the QUIZ «Youth for Clean Energy and Green Technologies». Key Questions:
- A short presentation on low carbon energy sources.
- What technological innovations will help us adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change?
- How do science and digitalisation contribute to addressing the impacts of climate change?
- How can youth influence the development of sustainability-oriented technologies?

QUIZ had not been previously announced on our platform, the proposal came right during the pavilion, like some of the other sessions. We, of course, immediately supported it, as a variety of event formats is extremely important for attracting attention to Arctic development issues. It was obvious that the game captured the audience, who actively answered the questions. This format will probably become a tradition in the Northern Youth Forum programme.

At the end of Saturday evening, Arsenii Kirgizov-Barsii led a discussion on «BRICS Youth Energy Outlook 2025: Youth-Driven Research for a Just Energy Transition». The BRICS Youth Energy Agency brings together young experts on various aspects of energy. Through BRICS YEA Young Expert Groups, the YEA formulates hypotheses, consults and develops policies with young experts from the agency's network in the nine BRICS countries and the global South. In June 2024, the first group of BRICS YEA Young Experts Group members finalised the Outlook, and this session is the first public presentation of its main findings. YEA members - young experts - come from universities, businesses, academic and research centres, and governments.

On November 11-22, the Northern Forum is hosting the first-of-its-kind Arctic Pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The general partner of the Arctic Pavilion is the Melnichenko Foundation, the youth partner is the BRICS Youth Energy Agency. More info: https://arcticpavilion-cop.org

Watch live-streaming of all sessions on the Northern Forum Youtube channel.