American University of Sharjah student named UNICEF Climate Change Youth Advocate

Abdul Muqeet, a final-year computer engineering student at American University of Sharjah (AUS), has been appointed as one of seven UNICEF Youth Advocates for Climate Change, selected from across UAE universities and schools. All seven advocates will play an integral role in Dubai’s upcoming COP28, advocating for climate action and sustainability. The designation is part of UNICEF’s Youth Advocacy Program supported by the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood under Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

As a UNICEF Youth Advocate for Climate Change, Abdul Muqeet will represent children’s rights in sustainability and climate action. As COP28 approaches, he will create opportunities for young people to be involved in climate action and facilitate platforms for them to do so. His main objective as an advocate is to inspire young people to become more involved in climate causes.

“The main motivation and goal for my work is to inspire young individuals to voice their concerns for sustainability, helping them to realize that they are the decision makers of the future. We are running out of time to act on climate change. There is only one Earth, and hence I am very motivated to work with the youth, finding innovative ways we can work together to reduce climate change and its impact.”

Abdul Muqeet was officially inaugurated as a UNICEF Youth Advocate for Climate Change at a ceremony held at Expo 2020 City. He expressed his gratitude at being named a UNICEF Youth Advocate for Climate Change,  “It was an immensely happy moment for me to be announced as a UNICEF Youth Advocate for Climate Change as I am now officially connected with UNICEF, a widely respected international organization. I am greatly honored to be a face of the youth in advocating for a sustainable future. I am looking forward to working with UNICEF to make sure the rights of the youth in the country and elsewhere are met. Following the inauguration event, representatives from the UNICEF Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood took us for a special dinner at Dubai Mall, where they surprised us by adding our images to Burj Khalifa, something that I will never forget for the rest of my life.”

In the lead-up to COP28, taking place in November and December this year, there will be many opportunities for AUS students to become actively involved in climate change activities. Another AUS student, Manal Nadeem, has recently been selected to represent AUS at COP 28 as part of the UAE Youth Climate Delegate Program (YCDP), a program launched by the UAE Federal Youth Authority (FYA) in partnership with the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, which aims to increase youth participation in the multilateral climate process.  Additionally, the UAE Climate Envoy to COP28 has invited AUS to be a part of the COP28 University Taskforce, allowing representatives from AUS to inform key debates on climate change. To learn more about how AUS is making the most of this opportunity, please visit www.aus.edu/cop28.