The 8th ASEAN Children’s Forum, held from August 19-21, 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, brought together over 100 participants, including child delegates from all ten ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste. Under the theme “Children-led Climate Change Actions Towards a Resilient ASEAN Community,” the Forum provided a vital platform for children to express their concerns and recommendations on climate change impacts, reinforcing their role as key stakeholders in shaping a sustainable future.
Hosted with the support of UNICEF, CRC Asia, World Vision, and the ASEAN Secretariat, the Forum emphasized the urgent need to address climate change from the perspective of children, who are among the most vulnerable during disasters. Delegates engaged in meaningful discussions on critical issues such as food security, migration, child protection, and education, highlighting the intrinsic link between environmental challenges and children’s rights.
Delegates shared creative presentations and participated in interactive group discussions as well as an intergenerational dialogue with representatives from ACWC and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), outlining concrete actions children can take with support from families, educational institutions, and governments. The children delegates emphasized the urgent need for educational continuity and resilience strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of climate- related disasters.
The Forum culminated in the development of actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing climate change actions within the ASEAN framework, which will be submitted to relevant ASEAN bodies for consideration.