My Journey to COP30: A Young Negotiator’s First COP
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By Faith Mukami John
(Kenya)
The news that I would be attending COP30 landed on me like a wave of both excitement and uncertainty. I was thrilled; this was a dream come true, but at the same time, a million thoughts started racing through my mind. How will I balance COP30 with my job? What about my family responsibilities?
After a few hours of back-and-forth conversations with my family and my supervisor, clarity finally came. We agreed: I would attend COP30. And suddenly, excitement became the dominant feeling again.
Of course, not everyone shared that excitement. I told a few friends, and while some celebrated with me, others shrugged it off. One even asked, half-jokingly, “So… are we going to see you on TV leading youth demonstrations at COP30?”
Their mixed reactions pushed me into a moment of deep reflection. Why was I going to COP30? Why did it matter? And the answer came easily: because I was prepared, and because I wanted to meaningfully contribute and make the voices of youth heard.
Thanks to the Youth Negotiators Academy Program and to the support of CARE Denmark, I spent five intense months in the fundamentals Cohort learning about UNFCCC negotiation processes and the role of youth in negotiations, as well as interacting with other youths from around the world, discussing COP 30 negotiations. The final in-person training was the last piece I needed; it left me empowered, informed, and ready to step confidently into the negotiation rooms of COP30. We were guided on how to navigate the UNFCCC portal to access COP agendas, reports, and negotiation texts, and we even carried out realistic negotiation simulations that brought the entire process to life.
The day before COP officially began, my roommates and I headed to the venue to pick up our badges. They were seasoned COP attendees, but for me, everything felt new almost overwhelming. The massive tents, the long queues, the security checks, it all brought back the nostalgic feeling of a first day at a new school.
Then came Day One, and the venue was buzzing. People from every corner of the world hurried in all directions: delegates, activists, researchers, journalists, and youth groups. It felt like stepping into a global beehive, each person rushing toward their mission.
My negotiation tracks were Article 6 and Mitigation. I had prepared thoroughly, reading through previous COP decisions, the articles, and the latest SBSTA reports. I joined the G77 coordination meeting and then walked into the negotiation room, where I would spend almost two straight weeks discussing, debating, listening, and drafting section reports. I sat next to my team, the Kenya Article 6 and mitigation delegates.
Nothing could have fully prepared me for what happens inside those rooms. Every Single Word. Matters. A comma, a verb, even the order of two phrases can trigger an hour-long debate, and somehow, it made sense. These documents, prepared in those rooms, are critical in driving climate action. They shape policies, guide national actions, and influence the global fight against climate change; therefore, Precision is everything.
What amazed me the most was the determination I witnessed. Delegates burned the midnight oil, sometimes literally shivering in the cold conference rooms, but they remained committed to finding a common ground. Countries and groups with different realities, priorities, and pressures still pushed forward, driven by the belief that climate action requires collective effort.
Despite the challenges, I loved every moment in those rooms. Sitting there as a young negotiator listening, learning, and discussing with my team, I watched nations, groups like G77, LMDCs, and others negotiate line by line, and this showed me the real power of diplomacy and the responsibility we all carry.
As a young negotiator, I left COP30 feeling empowered, fulfilled, and proud. Contributing to the negotiations of Article 6 and mitigation that will finally shape our future was a huge achievement. Being in those rooms made me realize how important it is for young people to be present, to speak, and to influence decisions that will impact our generation the most.
With this experience I feel ready to join the advanced cohort of Young Negotiators Academy and participate in future COPs to represent the voices, hopes, and priorities of young people on the global stage.
Youth participation is not optional; it is essential. We are the leaders of tomorrow, but we are also actors of today. The policies being crafted now will guide the world’s climate actions for decades, and our voices must be part of that process. Youth participation should be encouraged and supported at all levels local, national, and global. This is because when young people step into decision-making spaces, we bring energy, innovation, and a powerful sense of urgency. and that is exactly what the world needs.
