Bhubaneswar: Young climate leaders from across Odisha on Wednesday called for greater youth participation in climate action and community-level initiatives as the fourth edition of the Odisha Conference of Youth (OCOY 4.0) concluded at XIM University, Bhubaneswar.
The three-day conference, organised under the Youth4Water Plus campaign in collaboration with UNICEF Odisha, the Government of Odisha, NEXUS Select Malls and more than 50 partner organisations, brought together young delegates from all 30 districts of the state. The conference was held on the theme “Building Next Generation Climate Leaders.”
A key outcome of the conference was the Youth Statement, jointly prepared by the participating delegates and presented in both English and Odia. The statement outlines the aspirations and recommendations of young people for strengthening climate action in Odisha, drawing on their experiences and learning during the three-day programme.
Addressing the valedictory session, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das urged young people to take their ideas beyond conference platforms and turn them into action at the community level.
“Climate action cannot remain confined to conference halls—it must translate into action in our wards, villages and communities,” she said, adding that the ideas and enthusiasm demonstrated by Odisha’s youth offered hope for building a water-secure and climate-resilient state. She also said the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation was committed to working with young people to turn their ideas into meaningful local initiatives.
Prasanta Kumar Dash, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Odisha, encouraged the participants to continue working together after the conference and build a strong youth network across the state.
He urged the delegates to remain connected and support each other in initiatives such as plantation drives, village-level water audits and policy consultations, stressing the importance of ensuring that young voices remain part of decision-making processes.
The concluding day featured a series of interactive sessions designed to expose participants to different aspects of climate action. During the Eco-Tank session, young delegates presented green enterprise ideas before founders and investors. They also explored the use of digital storytelling for climate advocacy and participated in a Tribunal for Environmental Justice, where they argued a simulated environmental case.
Actress and social issues advocate Anu Choudhury spoke to the delegates about the importance of small but consistent actions in addressing climate change. Harsha Bharda, General Manager (Head), ESG and CSR, Nexus Select Malls, also addressed the participants.
The conference provided delegates with opportunities to engage with experts, practitioners and fellow young people while exploring practical approaches to climate resilience, water security, environmental justice and sustainable entrepreneurship.
The Youth Statement emerged as the principal collective outcome of OCOY 4.0, reflecting the concerns, priorities and recommendations of young people from across Odisha.
The conference concluded with a message that climate action must move beyond discussions and translate into action at the community level, with young people playing a central role in shaping Odisha’s climate-resilient future.
