(L-R) Inés Stammet; Serge Wilmes, Luxembourg's Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity; Lara Bertemes;
Credit: Lycée Technique Agricole
On Friday 13 November 2026, Luxembourg's Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, met with upper secondary school students from three Luxembourg schools at the Lycée Technique Agricole to discuss climate change and young people's priorities ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey.
According to Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity and Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, the meeting brought together students from the Lycée Technique Agricole, the Luxembourg School of Hotel Management and Tourism (EHTL) and the Lycée classique de Diekirch, in the presence of a representative of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. The meeting aimed to enable young people to share their concerns, expectations and proposals ahead of the international climate conference.
On this occasion, Luxembourg's Senior Youth Delegate, Lara Bertemes, presented the role of the delegates and the main topics they are addressing this year at national and international level. She emphasised the importance of strengthening young people's participation in climate discussions, promoting education for sustainable development and encouraging regular dialogue between policymakers and young people.
The discussions with students focused on COP31 and its challenges, current climate issues, the younger generation's expectations regarding the ecological transition and ways to encourage young people's involvement in decision-making processes. The discussions led to an open and constructive dialogue, marked by numerous questions and reflections on the role that everyone can play in building a more sustainable future, noted the ministries.
Minister Wilmes reiterated the importance of these direct meetings with young people: "Young people bring an essential perspective to climate debates. Their experiences, ideas and expectations help enrich discussions at national and international level. It is important to provide them with opportunities for exchange and participation so that their voices can be heard."
In Antalya, Climate Youth Delegates Joséphine Loschetter and Alexander Feil represent Luxembourg's youth as part of activities related to COP31. The CYD programme, a collaboration between Jugendrot/CGJL and the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, is both an educational opportunity and an awareness-raising project aimed at encouraging young people to engage with climate issues and make their voices heard on the international stage. Throughout the conference, they participate in discussions with other young delegates, government representatives and civil society stakeholders to convey the concerns and proposals of young people in Luxembourg.
According to the ministries, another meeting will be organised after COP31 to allow the Climate Youth Delegates to share the main outcomes of the conference with the participating students. This exchange will also provide an opportunity to continue the dialogue on young people's contribution to implementing climate commitments.
