The Youth for COP 2025 programme launched with a powerful virtual opening ceremony on 26th July 2025, bringing together over 220 participants from across the Global South. The session set the tone for a transformative journey leading up to COP30, offering young climate advocates a platform to learn, connect, and lead. The event opened with welcoming remarks by Aditya Pundir, Director, The Climate Reality Project India & South Asia, followed by an inspiring message from Dr. Ajay Mathur, Former Director General of the International Solar Alliance. Sanjay Vashist, Director of Climate Action Network South Asia, introduced the programme and its vision. Participants heard compelling stories from previous Youth for COP leaders like Aakriti Dotel (Nepal) and Fahim Hossain (Bangladesh), alongside frontline insights from Courtney Morgan (Africa), Aimee Oliveros (Philippines), and Itzel Morales Lagunes (Latin America). The session also included reflections on youth leadership at COP by Amanullah Porag (Youth for NDCs) and Ari Wijanarko Adipratomo (Indonesia). The opening ceremony was a vibrant blend of perspectives, reinforcing the urgency of climate action and the power of youth in shaping a just, inclusive, and impactful road to COP30.