Over 100 youth from across Cox’s Bazar district mobilized under the leadership of Youth Action for Justice and Development (JYDA) to join the Fridays for Future Global Climate Strike. This decisive grassroots action, part of a global movement, echoed two urgent calls: “Don’t Sell Our Future” and “Climate Education in NDC 3.0.”
Organized by JYDA in collaboration with four local organizations and supported by LCOY Bangladesh 2025, SEECTO Bangladesh, Earthday.org, Youth for NDCs, and Save the Children in Bangladesh, the strike aimed to elevate coastal youth voices in national climate dialogue.
Youth urged the Government of Bangladesh to include climate education as a key priority in NDC 3.0 and to stop fossil fuel expansion. Young people demanded climate justice and intergenerational equity from city rallies to coastal storytelling circles.
“Coastal youth in Cox’s Bazar and beyond are watching their homes disappear into the sea. Climate education isn’t optional for us—it’s a necessity for survival. If we’re not equipped with the tools to adapt and resist, who will be?” — Shahrukh Karim, Climate Activist & Founder of JYDA
This was one of the largest youth-led climate strikes in Cox’s Bazar in recent years. As Bangladesh prepares its updated NDC, JYDA and its youth leaders made it clear: the future belongs to us—and we will fight to protect it.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
