Key Impact Points:
- The Youth Negotiators Academy (YNA), co-founded by Graf, has trained over 400 youth from 83 countries to participate in UN climate negotiations.
- Graf made history as Switzerland’s youngest UN climate negotiator, and was a former Global Focal Point for YOUNGO at the UNFCCC.
- She is leading a wave of youth-led, intersectional climate action, empowering the next generation to shape multilateral climate policy.
SDG Spotlight of the Week: Marie-Claire Graf, Switzerland
Marie-Claire Graf is a climate diplomacy and policy consultant who is helping to reshape how young leaders influence global environmental governance. As Co-Founder of the Youth Negotiators Academy (YNA), Graf is building a pipeline of skilled youth diplomats to engage in UN climate talks.
“The future belongs to those who are prepared to shape it. We must ensure that young voices are not just part of the conversation but are leading it.”
Trailblazer in Climate Negotiations
Marie-Claire Graf began her climate journey as Switzerland’s youngest delegate at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2019. Her frontline experience exposed her to a major gap: many countries lacked the infrastructure to equip youth with negotiation skills to participate meaningfully in climate talks.
That insight led to her role as Global Focal Point for YOUNGO, the official youth constituency to the UNFCCC, where she saw how youth voices were often sidelined during negotiations. It also sparked the idea for YNA.
Building a Global Youth Negotiation Force
The Youth Negotiators Academy was created to close the skills gap by providing young climate leaders with technical training, diplomatic preparation, and financial support.
- 2022 (COP27): 59 negotiators from 26 countries trained
- 2023 (COP28): 172 from 54 countries
- 2024 (COP29): Over 400 from 83 countries
This meteoric growth highlights YNA’s critical role in making youth central to the climate negotiation process.
Championing Systems Change Across Sectors
Marie-Claire Graf also brings her leadership to food systems, sustainability, and gender equity. She was Vice-Chair on Youth at the UN Food Systems Summit and chairs its youth committee. She co-founded Sustainability Week International and Real Food Systems, which drive climate awareness in universities and communities.
“It’s my aspiration to inspire and empower youth to take meaningful, impactful and positive actions to create momentum for change.”
Global Recognition
Marie-Claire Graf’s impact has been recognized worldwide. She’s been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, honored by the United Nations, and serves as a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum and member of the World Future Council.
Her leadership not only reflects personal achievement, but a broader shift toward youth-driven, intersectional action for sustainability and justice.
Rewriting Climate Diplomacy’s Future
Marie-Claire Graf is proving that youth are not only ready—but essential—to lead. Through the Youth Negotiators Academy and her international advocacy, she is empowering the next generation to take the reins of climate diplomacy and drive equitable, effective solutions at the global level.
Related Article: Marie-Claire Graf: Shaping the Future of Climate Diplomacy
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