Children Urge Leaders to Amplify Their Voices Ahead of 2025 Africa Climate Summit

As the second Africa Climate Summit approaches, scheduled for September 8-10, 2025, in Ethiopia, children from across Rwanda are calling on decision-makers and partners to amplify their voices and include their perspectives in crucial climate discussions.

This call emerged during a recent national consultation that brought together 70 children from Kigali, Ruhango, Musanze, Burera, Nyamagabe, Mahama Refugee Camp, and Emergency Transit Mechanisms Gashora.

The hybrid event, organized by Save the Children in partnership with Children’s Voice Today, Uwezo Youth Empowerment, and Nature Rwanda, provided a vital platform for children to share how climate change affects their well-being and propose solutions to environmental challenges. These insights aim to be reflected in the Africa Climate Summit’s outcome statements endorsed by African Union member states and partners.

Joanne Musonda, Country Director of Save the Children Rwanda, emphasized the importance of inclusivity.
“As Save the Children, we believe that every child has a right to be heard, to be protected and live in a safe and healthy environment. To our partners, as we prepare for the 2025 Africa Climate Summit, this is the moment to listen deeply, learn from children, and ensure that their perspectives help shape decisions made during the summit and beyond.”

Children shared firsthand accounts of the climate crisis affecting their daily lives. Fabrice, 14, from Burera District, described severe weather impacts:
“In my community, we experience climate effects. For example, it always rains heavily and even during summer, causing flooding and landslides that destroy our infrastructure, like bridges and crops. These climate hazards affect our well-being, education, and food security. In this upcoming Africa Climate Summit, we call on our leaders to discuss effective ways to implement existing climate policies and prioritise children’s sensitive issues.”

Obed, 15, from Ruhango District, appealed for greater inclusion of children in policy development:
“I recommend leaders always consider children’s views and consult us during climate policy-making processes to ensure they are inclusive and integrate our priorities.”

Christian Kayishema, Environment and Climate Change Education Officer at Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), highlighted the role of knowledge and youth empowerment.
“At REMA, we believe that knowledge is the first step towards action. This is why we are committed to supporting your education in climate science and sustainability, amplifying your voices in national and global forums, such as the Africa Climate Summit, and ensuring that your right to a clean and healthy environment is never ignored.”

Ange, 12, from Nyarugenge District, pointed out progress made by the government in ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
“We thank our government for banning plastic use in Rwanda to end air pollution and protect our environment as promised.”

The Government of Rwanda has made significant strides in ensuring children’s participation in environmental protection and climate change discussions. The integration of children- and youth-sensitive issues into updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans underscores the importance of involving young people in the implementation, decision-making, and monitoring processes of national climate actions.