“The Youth4Climate summit provided young delegates from 193 countries the unprecedented opportunity to put forward ideas and proposals on some of the most pressing issues on the climate agenda” – Vinzealhar Nen

A strong advocate for the environment and climate change action, Ms. Vinzealhar Nen is a passionate member of the UNDP in Papua New Guinea Country Office.

Vinzealhar’s interest and passion for environmental and climate issues started at age nine with a lifelong interest in science.

“I did commence my tertiary studies majoring in biomedical engineering, however, due to family issues, I had to put that on hold and return home to Papua New Guinea to join the workforce,” said Ms. Nen.

She soon found pathways to participate in major events that inspired her to start a successful tree planting campaign. In her own words, the campaign took a life of its own in 12 provinces across the country and driven by close to 1000 young people.

Venzealhar is also the country lead for the Sustainable Ocean Alliance hub in Papua New Guinea, driving community and youth engagement to help address climate and environmental challenges.

Her concern for the environment, climate change, and global issues has opened amazing opportunities to represent Papua New Guinea at high-level forums around the world.

“It is what sets my soul on fire,” she explains.

In September 2021, Vinzealhar was invited to attend the Youth4Climate Summit in Milan, Italy, joining 400 youth delegates from 193 UN member state countries at the event. The young delegates were engaged for the summit by their passion through art, music, sport, textile design, food, and agriculture to address climate change.

“Climate Islands” - Podcast Episode #3

In UNDP’s new Podcast: “Climate Islands” - Episode #3 – Youth4Climate - Vinzealhar Nen shares her local and global experiences of raising awareness about environmental challenges and impacts of climate change in Papua New Guinea - and the urgency for youth involvement in climate action.

The podcast also discusses her recent journey to the #Youth4Climate Summit, in Milan, as a youth delegate for the Pacific region ahead of a gathering of world leaders at COP26.

Click on image below to listen to podcast.