Youth at the Heart of Africa’s Climate Future: Reflections from ACS-2 in Addis Ababa and What It Means for South Sudan

From 8–10 September 2025, Addis Ababa became the center of global attention as it hosted the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS-2). Leaders from across the continent and the world convened to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges—climate change. Under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” the summit marked a defining moment for Africa’s collective voice on climate action.

The Executive Director of Eden Foundation, Abul Majur Dak, alongside several senior government officials, participated in the Summit, signaling the country’s commitment to regional and continental climate action. Their presence ensured that the voices of South Sudanese youth and communities were heard in critical discussions on climate finance, adaptation, and sustainable development.

What made ACS-2 particularly powerful was not only the presence of presidents, ministers, and international organizations, but the meaningful involvement of youth. Young people, who represent the majority of Africa’s population, were given space to speak, innovate, and lead. For South Sudan, a country where over 70% of the population is under 30, this focus on youth carries profound implications for the nation’s future.

The Role of Youth at ACS-2

At ACS-2, young people were not passive attendees. They actively shaped conversations on climate finance, renewable energy, and sustainable development. Youth delegates took part in panels, dialogues, and side events, presenting innovative solutions ranging from community-driven renewable energy projects to creative waste management initiatives.

The Summit recognized that young people are not just beneficiaries of climate policies—they are drivers of solutions. This recognition was woven into the Summit’s agenda, particularly through the Green Jobs and Skills Track, which highlighted the urgency of equipping youth with the tools to participate in the green economy.

For organizations like Eden Foundation, which champions youth leadership in climate action through initiatives like the YouthEco Lab, ACS-2 validated the belief that youth can transform climate challenges into opportunities for resilience and sustainable development.

Why This Matters for South Sudan

South Sudan, though rich in natural resources, faces serious climate vulnerabilities. Seasonal floods, prolonged droughts, desertification, and deforestation threaten livelihoods, food security, and stability. These environmental pressures exacerbate existing challenges like poverty and unemployment.

Yet, within these challenges lies potential. With a young and dynamic population, South Sudan has the opportunity to position youth at the forefront of climate action. The lessons and outcomes of ACS-2 are highly relevant for the country:

1. Harnessing Youth Potential

The Summit showed that when youth are equipped with leadership skills and technical knowledge, they can be catalysts for climate adaptation and innovation. For South Sudan, training young people in green skills such as recycling, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly event management can create both livelihoods and environmental impact.

2. Accessing Climate Finance

One of ACS-2’s major outcomes was the push to establish new funding mechanisms such as the African Climate Innovation Compact and the African Climate Facility. These instruments aim to mobilize billions of dollars for Africa-led solutions. South Sudanese youth organizations, if positioned strategically, can access this funding to scale grassroots climate solutions.

3. Building Climate-Smart Livelihoods

The intersection of youth employment and environmental protection is critical. By investing in sustainable livelihoods, South Sudan can reduce unemployment while also safeguarding ecosystems. Initiatives that teach recycling, reusing, and green entrepreneurship align perfectly with the continent-wide vision shared at ACS-2.

4. Strengthening South Sudan’s Global Voice

ACS-2 emphasized the need for Africa to present a united front in global negotiations, including at the upcoming COP30. For South Sudan, participation in such forums allows the country to highlight its unique vulnerabilities while also demonstrating its commitment to global solutions. Empowered youth voices from South Sudan can play a crucial role in shaping these narratives.

YouthEco Lab: A Local Example of Global Vision

At Eden Foundation, the launch of the YouthEco Lab is a direct response to the challenges and opportunities highlighted at ACS-2. In partnership with Nyot Foundation, the Lab seeks to train young South Sudanese in leadership, event management, sustainable development goals (SDGs), work ethics, and green skills in décor and recycling.

By doing so, the program is not only tackling unemployment but also promoting environmental stewardship. It is a demonstration that local actions, when strategically aligned with global priorities, can contribute to continental goals. The YouthEco Lab represents the kind of practical, youth-driven solution that ACS-2 leaders were calling for in Addis Ababa.

The Bigger Picture: Youth as Climate Champions

The message from ACS-2 was clear: Africa cannot achieve resilience without youth at the center of solutions. For South Sudan, this means investing in education, training, and platforms where youth can innovate and lead.

• Education for Sustainability: Embedding climate awareness and SDGs into school and vocational training curricula will prepare future generations to act.

• Youth-Led Enterprises: Supporting young entrepreneurs in recycling, solar energy, sustainable farming, and eco-tourism can build livelihoods while protecting the environment.

• Policy Influence: Youth must have a seat at the table in decision-making processes. By including young leaders in national and international delegations, South Sudan can strengthen its climate diplomacy.

• Community Mobilization: Grassroots engagement ensures that climate solutions are not top-down but owned by communities themselves, increasing sustainability.

Looking Ahead

The ACS-2 Summit was not just a conference; it was a turning point in how Africa views its youth. Instead of being seen as passive recipients of aid or victims of climate change, young people are being recognized as the architects of a sustainable future.

For South Sudan, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to move beyond rhetoric and invest in youth empowerment, climate education, and practical skills. The opportunity is to leverage its youthful population as a force for resilience, innovation, and hope.

Eden Foundation’s participation in ACS-2 is a commitment to that vision. By amplifying youth voices, providing training, and aligning with continental frameworks, EDF is contributing to a South Sudan that is not only more resilient but also more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready.

Conclusion

The story of ACS-2 is, ultimately, the story of Africa’s young people taking their rightful place at the center of climate action. For South Sudan, it underscores a simple but powerful truth: the path to a greener and more resilient nation lies in the hands of its youth.

By equipping young people with the skills, opportunities, and platforms to lead, South Sudan can turn climate challenges into opportunities for growth and sustainability.

As Eden Foundation continues to invest in youth empowerment through programs like the YouthEco Lab, the lessons of ACS-2 will serve as a guiding light—reminding us that when youth rise, nations thrive.