Guests and youth participants at the Sixth Global Youth Summit on Net-Zero Future
The 6th Global Youth Summit on Net‑Zero Future opened at Tsinghua University on the evening of October 29, Beijing Time. Hosted by the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), the event was streamed live worldwide and drew nearly 50 000 online viewers. Taking the theme “From Commitment to Action to Impact”, the summit was convened on the eve of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, building a platform for translating global climate pledges into practical action.
Liu Zhenmin, China’s special envoy for climate change, delivered a video address. He noted that global warming is intensifying and the risk of breaching the 1.5°C temperature threshold is on the rise. He stressed that the international community should uphold multilateralism and narrow the emissions gap between pledges and implementation under the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, and further step-up actions. He reviewed China’s green and low‑carbon transition progress at the start of its 15th Five‑Year‑Plan period, and encouraged young people to exercise climate leadership and regard the summit as a fresh starting‑point for international climate cooperation.
Liu Zhenmin, China’s special envoy for climate change, addresses the summit
Felipe Paullier, United Nations assistant secretary‑general for youth affairs, spoke via video. He pointed out that youth are not only among the groups hardest‑hit by the climate crisis but also vital contributors to climate solutions. Affirming youth contributions in scientific research, innovation, community mobilization and policy engagement, he urged enhanced collaboration to turn climate pledges into measurable, verifiable real‑world outcomes.
Felipe Paullier, United Nations assistant secretary‑general for youth affairs, addresses the summit
Bai Benfeng, deputy secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, delivered opening remarks on behalf of Tsinghua University (GAUC chair university). He noted higher‑education institutions should bridge scientific research and real‑world application. Tsinghua University has advanced such efforts through the GAUC platform, supporting young people to turn innovative concepts into tangible social solutions. Stuart Wyithe, vice-president of The Australian National University (GAUC co‑chair university), and Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, addressed the summit by video and in‑person respectively. They called for a fair and inclusive net‑zero transition and highlighted the need to translate youth voices into actionable solutions.
Chen Deliang, Xinghua Distinguished Chair Professor delivered the keynote speech. Citing IPCC research findings, global warming is accelerating. He urged swifter progress across three fronts: decarbonization, climate adaptation and ecosystem regeneration. Drawing on China’s ecological‑civilization philosophy, he advocated building a sustainable future where humanity coexists in harmony with nature.
The summit also featured “Youth Climate Talks” and “Youth Dialogue” sessions. Representatives from Tsinghua University, the United Nations Development Programme, Environmental Defense Fund, Envision Group, Youth Association for International Animal Science and Technology, Upcell Alliance and other institutions shared insights covering agriculturalwaste resource utilization, pastoraltechnology community practices, AIdriven green innovation and energy transition. They also held indepth exchanges on youth engagement in global climate governance and delivery mechanisms for climate commitments.
The 2026 Global Youth Climate Week and Tsinghua Youth Climate Week were officially launched at the summit, with eight themed youth activities scheduled for the Tsinghua Youth Climate Week. The Summit's online sessions will run from October 31 to November 1. Young delegates from nearly 20 universities and institutions across China, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Viet Nam will take part in around 20 exchange events, sustaining an open global platform for youth discussion and collaboration.
Editors: Li Han, John Paul Grima
