UN youth advisor from Barbados represents Caribbean at Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi

Ashley Lashley of Barbados, recently appointed as one of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Youth Advisors on Climate Change, made her inaugural international appearance in this new capacity at the esteemed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress 2025 held in Abu Dhabi.

Convening every four years, the website describes IUCN World Conservation Congress as “where the world comes together to set priorities and drive conservation and sustainable development action.” This year’s event brought together 1400+ government, civil society and Indigenous peoples’ Member organisations, state and non-state actors.

A press statement by the Ashley Lashley Foundation described her participation as a significant milestone, as she was honored to serve as a speaker across several prominent high-level panels. In these sessions, she reportedly collaborated with government ministers, corporate leaders, Indigenous representatives, and civil society advocates, all focused on strategies to accelerate global efforts in climate action and conservation during these pivotal years.

A notable part of her involvement was in the Special Session titled “Nature’s Promise for Climate & People — A Call and Commitment from the Conservation Community to Belém and Beyond.” This dialogue brought together international leaders committed to enhancing efforts for nature preservation, climate resilience, and human well-being.

Additionally, Lashley contributed to the discussion on “Alliances Fit for the Post-2030 Era – Driving the Next Wave of Multilateralism.” This session examined innovative partnerships necessary to sustain transformative environmental initiatives beyond 2030, led by IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak. The panel included the GEF CEO, the IUCN Director General, and other prominent global stakeholders, as outlined in the release.

Drawing from her background as a former recipient of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) and as a dedicated youth advocate, Lashley shared insights on the influential role civil society and youth-led organizations play in developing scalable environmental solutions. She underscored that genuine youth participation and accessible resources are essential for constructing a sustainable and inclusive future.

Her engagement extended to the high-level session “One Health: The Only Healthy Future for People, Animals, and Ecosystems,” which emphasized the interconnectedness of human health, biodiversity, and ecosystem integrity. On this panel, she highlighted the importance of safeguarding local environments—ranging from Barbados’ coastal mangroves and coral reefs to urban green spaces across the Caribbean—as fundamental to the One Health approach.

Lashley also candidly addressed the complex relationship between capitalism and environmental sustainability. She remarked, “We live in a world where economic growth often comes at the expense of nature. To truly tackle climate change, we must rethink how capitalism can work with environmental stewardship — creating models where profit does not destroy the planet, but instead supports sustainable communities and healthy ecosystems.”

“Her participation at the IUCN World Conservation Congress reinforces Caribbean youth representation on the global stage, highlighting the importance of youth voices in shaping climate and conservation policy worldwide, while advocating for sustainable economic models and the preservation of natural spaces both locally and globally,” said the team.