2nd YCDF Regional
Conference 2025
“Youth Power in Climate Diplomacy: Southeast Europe on the Rise”– YCDF's Flagship Conference Comes to Athens for a second time.
The 2nd Regional Conference of the Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum (YCDF), under the auspices of the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), took place on 17–18 October 2025.
More than 100 participants from countries of Southeastern Europe – Greece, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Slovenia, and Kosovo – including students, young professionals, emerging leaders, and civil society organizations – gathered in Athens for the Conference.
On 17 October, the opening event was held at the Hellenic American Union, with keynote speaker Lefteris Arapakis, Co-founder of Enaleia and UN Young Champion of the Earth (Europe). He emphasized the importance of collaboration for the successful implementation of programs aimed at tackling climate change and environmental degradation, and he shared his belief that small and/or local projects can spark the necessary shift in environmental mindset.
The central message of the conference was: “Let’s start now to turn even more ideas into action.”
The event was addressed by Professor Emmanuella Doussis, NKUA & holder of the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy; Marian Wendt, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Greece and Cyprus; and Dimitris Kollias, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy and European Climate Pact Ambassador.
The event was moderated by Rania Papadopoulou, Chair of YCDF and PhD candidate at NKUA.
On Saturday, 18 October, the conference activities continued at the Europa Experience. Young leaders, experts, and policymakers participated in panels and interactive workshops on critical issues such as climate governance, green and just transition, energy diplomacy, regional cooperation, and youth action.
The YCDF Conference highlighted the importance of active youth participation in addressing the climate crisis, cross-border cooperation, and the development of a new generation of leaders who transform their ideas into action.
Supported by:
Aegean Airlines, Konrad Adenauer for Greece and Cyprus, Hellenic American Union, Europa Experience, Top Lines Travel Agency, The Body Shop, Μπουκιά και Συχώριο Catering (Ηλίας Μαμαλάκης), Yiannis Mantakas Studio Photography, Lucia’s Cleaning, Gkremos Audio Visual, Balkan Youth Cooperation, UNICEF Greece, EU Youth Hub, ΟΔΕΘ, PSPA MUN Society
Media Partner: CNN Greece