The Asian Youth Coalition launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, to help youth-led organisations across Asia work together on climate action and bring their priorities into national and international policy discussions.

The coalition was announced at a press conference titled “From Mountains to Sea: Bringing Asia-Pacific Youth Priorities to the UNFCCC” on 13 November, 2026, according to the press release. Youth representatives from Central, East and South Asia outlined their regional priorities and discussed how young people could play a greater role in global climate talks.

The coalition builds on the work of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Youth, held in Bangladesh. It is being developed with support from 12 youth organisations in 10 Asian countries, including Sikto Bangladesh, a host organisation for the regional conference.

Young people across Asia are already working on climate awareness, local adaptation and environmental protection. The organisers said many groups work independently and face challenges securing funding, building organisational capacity, connecting with peers across borders and taking part in policymaking.

The coalition aims to help grassroots groups develop their organisational, legal and financial capacity. It also plans to support joint campaigns and cross-border projects, help members find funding, and bring youth priorities into national climate policy discussions and negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Under the proposed structure, a secretariat would manage partnerships, resources and reporting. An elected steering committee made up of representatives from seven to nine member organisations would oversee the coalition’s activities and coordinate five working groups focused on specific issues and subregions.

The coalition plans to admit new members through an open application process each year. Members would continue working in their own countries while collaborating on regional projects, joint policy positions and training. The founding members and co-organisers of the regional youth conference will help finalise the governance charter, membership rules and founding leadership.

The organisers said the coalition would prioritise participation by youth groups from least developed countries and small island developing states, as well as Indigenous youth organisations, women-led groups and organisations led by or working with people with disabilities. They said the aim was to sustain cooperation throughout the year.