Source: Save the Children
Four young leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand with travel to Belém, Brazil this month to represent Save the Children New Zealand at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
The delegation, led by Save the Children New Zealand’s Youth Engagement Coordinator, Vira Paky, will bring Pacific and Aotearoa youth voices to one of the world’s largest climate gatherings in Belém, the gateway to the Amazon.
The youth representatives, Toa Sifia Fonoti, Dylan Chand, Faiasea Ah Chee, and Destiny Harris, each bring unique perspectives and experience in climate action, education, advocacy, and community leadership.
– Toa Sifia Fonoti, 19, a Samoan youth, currently studying at Auckland University of Technology for a Bachelor of Primary Education and 2024 Generation Hope Ambassador, is passionate about empowering tamariki and rangatahi to share their stories and protect their lands and oceans.
– Dylan Chand, 22 , an Engineering and Computer Science student at the University of Auckland, is the founder and Executive Director of the Youth Climate Collective, a youth-led organisation driving action on climate change through innovation and collaboration.
– Faiesea Ah Chee, 23, from the villages of Fa’a’ala Palauli and Gaga’ifomauga Sasina in Savai’i, Samoa, studies Education at the University of Auckland and works with the Pacific Climate Warriors to elevate Pacific voices in global climate discussions.
– Destiny Harris, 22, a rangatahi Māori from Tāmaki Makaurau is dedicated to reconnecting people to te taiao through kaupapa rooted in whakapapa, community wellbeing, and kaitiakitanga.
– Vira Paky, Save the Children New Zealand’s youth engagement coordinator and an award-winning, first-generation Congolese-Kiwi advocate with a passion for youth leadership, development, engagement and participation. Vira is dedicated to amplifying diverse youth voices across national and international platforms.
The group will take part in several key events at COP30, including:
– From Aotearoa to the World: Youth Insights for a Climate-Just Future (18 November) – SCNZ and the Youth Climate Collective will showcase Aotearoa Youth COP 2025 and its youth-led recommendations to government at the Child and Youth Pavilion.
– A Whole Different Story: A Youth Manifesto for a New Climate Future (17 November) – Faiasea will help lead a creative storytelling workshop translating youth experiences into a shared call to action.
– Climate Justice for a More Equal and Sustainable Future (17 November) – Destiny will join a panel highlighting the links between children’s rights, gender equality, and climate justice.
“It’s a huge honour to represent Aotearoa and the Pacific at COP30,” says Toa Sifia Fonoti.
“As young people, we carry the stories of our families and communities who are already living with the impacts of climate change. This is our chance to show the world that rangatahi and Pacific youth have the courage and knowledge to lead.”
Heather Campbell, Chief Executive of Save the Children New Zealand, says the youth delegation reflects the power of intergenerational leadership.
“These young people are extraordinary. They’re thinkers, doers, and storytellers who remind us that tackling the climate crisis means listening to children and youth, especially those from the Pacific who are on the frontlines and already experiencing the worst impacts. Their voices bring hope, urgency, and vision to COP30.”
The delegation will share daily stories, photos, and reflections from COP30 across Save the Children New Zealand’s digital channels, highlighting the leadership of Aotearoa and Pacific youth on the world stage.
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
