Rural Youth Manifesto: A Call for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development | CBD COP16

At the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP16, rural youth from Latin America and the Caribbean took a decisive step in shaping global environmental policies by presenting the Rural Youth Manifesto for Biodiversity.

‍This groundbreaking document, crafted by over 170 young people and endorsed by more than 1,000 signatories, reflects the voices, priorities, and proposals of the region’s young leaders in tackling biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

You can read the full manifesto here (available in Spanish and English).

The Making of the Manifesto

The manifesto was born out of the Rural Youth Summit for Peace with Nature, held in August in Nuquí, Colombia one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. The event, promoted by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the Delegation of the European Union in Colombia, the Government of Chocó, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the National Planning Department (DNP), Young Professionals Network for Agrarian Development (YPARD), the Rural Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Roundtable (MEEJR) and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), sought to mobilize rural youth towards concrete actions in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.During three days of intense discussions, young leaders identified critical challenges and opportunities within five thematic axes:

1. Sustainable Agriculture – Advocating for agroecology and traditional food production methods while resisting land concentration.
2. Human Rights – Ensuring equal access to land ownership, especially for women and marginalized communities.
3. Conservation – Protecting biodiversity through youth-led initiatives that integrate traditional and scientific knowledge.
4. Governance – Strengthening youth participation in policy formulation and environmental governance.
5. Education – Promoting knowledge-sharing initiatives that empower young people to lead conservation efforts.

Leading up to COP16, several online consultations were held with rural youth from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe to share and further validate the Manifesto.

Presenting the Youth Vision at COP16

YPARD LAC (Young Professionals for Agricultural Development in Latin America and the Caribbean) played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of rural youth at COP16.

Sebastian Pedraza, YPARD Steering Committee Chair and YPARD LAC Regional Coordinator stated,

‍“One of our main missions at COP16 was to bring the voices of Latin American rural youth through the Rural Youth Manifesto for Biodiversity, a document built by more than 170 young people from Colombia and Latin America and signed by more than 1000 people.

After successfully presenting this document to various stakeholders at this conference, we will continue taking this roadmap to various decision making spaces including the COP30 at Belém next year."

The document was shared with COP16 President Susana Muhamad and other high-ranking officials, ensuring youth perspectives were considered in biodiversity negotiations. It was also presented and discussed at various side events across the Blue and Green Zones in COP16.

High-Level Engagement and Institutional Support

The presentation of the manifesto at COP16 drew significant attention, with participation from key stakeholders, including:

• Paola Vásquez, Secretary-General of Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Claudio Barbaro, Italy’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE)
• Giancarlo Maria Curcio, Ambassador of Italy in Colombia
• Gilles Bertrand, Ambassador of the European Union in Colombia

These leaders recognized the importance of integrating rural youth perspectives into international environmental policies.

Undersecretary Barbaro emphasized, “This manifesto represents a strong, collective voice for defending biodiversity, food sovereignty, and human rights. It is essential that youth are not only heard but actively involved in shaping policies.”
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Policy Commitments and Future Steps

The manifesto also led to critical commitments from governments and institutions. Notably, a collaborative effort was initiated with Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop a youth participation mechanism in international negotiations, inspired by the European Union’s youth advisory boards. Additionally, emphasis was placed on including the perspectives of Afro, Palenquera, Raizal, and Indigenous youth, acknowledging their ancestral contributions to biodiversity conservation.

Mario Beccia, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Bogotá, highlighted the broader implications of the manifesto: “The participation of rural youth is essential for ensuring a fairer and more equitable future. Their voices must be at the center of our strategies for a green and biodiverse planet.”

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A Call to Action

The Rural Youth Manifesto is more than just a document; it is a movement advocating for systemic change in biodiversity conservation and rural development. It calls upon governments, international organizations, and civil society to take concrete actions that empower rural youth, ensuring their involvement in shaping the future of the planet.

As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, the voices of young rural leaders must not only be heard but acted upon. The manifesto serves as a powerful reminder that sustainable solutions must come from those who are most connected to the land and its ecosystems.

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