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1,000+ attendees around the world make the Global Youth Climate Summit an international day to remember
University of Oxford • June 15, 2026

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, hosted an all-day international climate youth summit last week - attended by young people and teachers around the world.

More than a thousand young people and educators around the world joined Oxford Saïd on World Environment Day for the Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit, aimed at advancing climate solutions grounded in human rights.


The live virtual and in-person 24-hour Summit was hosted by Oxford Saïd, in partnership with UN Human Rights and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance. It brought together young people and climate researchers from around the world. Altogether there were more than 2,000 registrations from 119 countries – nearly 600% more than the number who registered last year. Many registrations were for institutions and schools who held ‘watch parties’. 


In total, there were 48 sessions addressing key issues around the theme of climate technologies and human rights; building a just transition. More than 80 speakers addressed the event, the youngest being 15-year-old Zoya K, founder of UnitEd Youth Council and a UNICEF Youth Ambassador. The broad range of topics discussed ranged from the impact of climate on reefs, health and communities to how solutions can be financed, legal implications and using AI to support effective solutions. Young change makers and entrants from Oxford Saïd’s Future Climate Innovators programme and Global Climate Tech Challenge competition showcased their innovative ideas and perspectives.


Oxford Saïd Interim Dean Mette Morsing welcomed participants warmly, saying: "Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be here today for the Global Youth Climate Summit. Education is the number one leverage to change the world to the better. When talking about how to address the global challenges, how to decarbonise the world, how to fight inequalities, and how to make business serve society and the planet, the very first premise is education. Because we know that with educated populations, societies thrive and develop more prosperous communities.”


Josephine Fawkes, Director of Global Inclusion and Youth Education, Oxford Saïd, added: “The 2026 Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit demonstrated something both urgent and hopeful: young people are not waiting to lead on climate action — they are already doing it. Bringing together voices from across the world, ourselves and our academic partners from across the globe witnessed the scale of ambition, creativity and determination that exists within this generation. Our collective responsibility now is to ensure their ideas are heard, supported and translated into meaningful change.”


“The annual Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit gives young people around the world more than a seat at the table — it gives them a hand in shaping the agenda. They understand instinctively that climate change is a human rights challenge that touches every community on Earth,” said David Clark, Founder, Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance. “This year’s Summit, hosted by our partners at UN Human Rights and Oxford Saïd, reminded us that the generation inheriting this crisis is not defined by fear, but by imagination, determination, and hope. They have the tools and the courage to lead.”


The event was also backed by institutions throughout Oxford University, including the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment​; the Environmental Change Institute​; the Blavatnik School of Government​; the School of Geography​ and the Oxford University Climate Leadership Research Centre​.


Support also came from leading Universities and international organisations too, including the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate​; BS4CL​; International Universities Climate Alliance​; Tsinghua University (Beijing)​; Reichman University (Israel)​; The George Washington University Alliance for a Sustainable Future​; Monash University (Australia)​; University of Colorado Boulder​; Oxford Brookes University​; the UN Environment Programme​ and World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ)​.


Participants and viewers were asked to take meaningful action following the Summit by volunteering 60 minutes to undertake an activity that would positively impact our planet. This could be collecting litter, planting trees, giving a talk on the importance of our environment, etc.


Supporters can share their activity with the community on Instagram @OxfordSBS.youth using the hashtag #globalyouthclimatepledge.

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United Nations Human Rights, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance Announce Multi-Year Plan to Host the Global Youth Climate Summit at Oxford on UN World Environment Day  Geneva, Switzerland – 10 December 2025 – On UN Human Rights Day, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights), Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (Oxford Saïd), and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance (RHRN) announced a multi-year plan to host the Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit annually on UN World Environment Day (5 June). The annual Summit will be jointly hosted by Oxford Saïd and UN Human Rights, with co-hosting support from leading universities worldwide, including the University of Colorado Boulder. The Summit will convene young leaders, scholars, policymakers, educators, and innovators to advance human rights-based climate solutions. “Climate change is already harming the rights of millions of people - and young people refuse to accept a future defined by loss and injustice,” said Astrid van Genderen Stort, Chief of External Engagement and Partnerships at UN Human Rights. “This annual summit seeks to support youth voices in shaping the policies, technologies, and decisions that will define our shared future.” The multi-year initiative establishes Oxford Saïd as the annual home of the RHRN Global Youth Climate Summit, positioning it as a central, youth- and university-driven pillar of the wider RHRN Global Climate Alliance ecosystem. The summit will serve as a touchpoint for collaboration and capacity-building related to human rights-based climate action across campuses and communities around the world. “At Oxford Saïd, we believe education is the catalyst for lasting change,” said Josephine Fawkes, Director of Global Inclusion and Youth Education, Saïd Business School. “The Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit convenes young leaders from across the globe, offering a growing platform where they can learn from one another, develop bold solutions, and turn inspiration into action. Their shared commitment and collective power will shape the future of our planet - and we are proud to help elevate their voices.” “Around the world, young people are rising - organizing, innovating, and refusing to accept a future defined by crisis. This summit is a powerful reminder that when institutions genuinely support young people through action, trust and access – they help turn potential into leadership. By aligning with youth voices, Oxford Saïd, UN Human Rights, and the RHRN Global Climate Alliance are creating the conditions for us to lead with purpose and build the future we all deserve,” says Aniba Khan, winner of Oxford Saïd Climate Change Challenge 2023 and an active participant of the RHRN Global Youth Climate Summit 2025. The theme for the 2026 RHRN Global Youth Climate Summit focuses on ensuring climate technologies for mitigation and adaptation are aligned with human rights obligations. It also focusses on developing the tools needed to ensure a just transition to sustainable economies and societies that uphold human rights. The Summit will explore the human rights risks and opportunities of current and emerging technologies like renewable energy systems, resilient infrastructure, data and early-warning tools, and AI in the context of climate action and identify strategies to ensure these risks are mitigated and human rights are upheld. The Summit will be hybrid, hosted physically at Oxford Saïd and livestreamed globally, enabling broad participation while limiting travel and associated environmental impacts. Young people from 12 regions will contribute through dialogues, case studies, and presentations on the intersection of climate change, human rights, and climate technology, highlighting scalable solutions that strengthen resilience and protect communities on the front lines. “This renewed commitment by Saïd Business School builds directly on the success of our inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit last June, which engaged participants from 55 countries,” said David Clark, Founder of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance. “Oxford Saïd’s leadership and steadfast support for youth-led climate justice have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for their partnership. Together with UN Human Rights, we are working to support youths in advancing transformative change for people and planet.” ABOUT Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance Launched at COP26 with global partner UN Human Rights, the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance seeks to place human rights at the center of global climate decision-making. The Alliance brings together universities, youth, policymakers, scientists, technologists, cultural leaders, and media organizations to advance human rights-based climate solutions through summits, education, and global engagement programmes. UN Human Rights UN Human Rights represents the world’s commitment to protecting and promoting human rights for all. Climate change poses an urgent threat to rights including food, water, health, housing, culture, and life itself. The Office works to advance climate action that is grounded in human rights and support the central role of those most affected by climate change - including youth, Indigenous peoples, women, and marginalized communities - in global climate responses. Saïd Business School, University of Oxford Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford is a vibrant and innovative business school, embedded within a 900-year-old world leading university. It creates programmes and ideas that have global impact and reach, and educates educate leaders, change makers and innovators across every industry and sector. The School´s groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching transforms individuals, who transform businesses, which transforms the world. Saïd Business School´s focus is to create impact from within. University of Colorado Boulder The University of Colorado Boulder is Colorado’s leading public research university, transforming lives since 1876. Home to five Nobel Laureates and world-renowned atmospheric and geological sciences research, CU Boulder’s vision is to transform lives in service to a just and sustainable world. CU Boulder hosted the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit with UN Human Rights in 2022 and is proud to support the upcoming RHRN Global Youth Summit through its Conference on World Affairs, Buckley Center for Sustainability Education and Center for African & African American Studies (The CAAAS | The Cause).
By UN Human Rights, Oxford University, Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance, International Universities Climate Alliance July 3, 2025
Joint Statement from United Nations Human Rights, the University of Oxford, the International Universities Climate Alliance, and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance