By GPC Correspondent
Children from across East Africa have called on regional leaders to prioritise their needs in climate policies, citing risks to their education, health and safety.
The call is contained in the Kampala Children’s East African Community Declaration on Climate, adopted during the inaugural East African Children’s Summit on Climate Change in Kampala, Uganda.
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The declaration was presented to the East African Community (EAC) Deputy Secretary General, Aguer Ariik, at the Parliament of Uganda on October 16, 2026. Ariik represented EAC Secretary General Amb. Stephen Mbundi.
The children want EAC member states to invest in climate-resilient schools and health facilities capable of withstanding climate-related disruptions. They also called for access to safe water and sanitation to protect children’s health and wellbeing.
The declaration urges governments to establish early-warning systems and strengthen disaster preparedness to protect children from climate-related hazards. It also calls for climate education to be integrated into school curricula to equip learners with practical knowledge and skills to respond to environmental challenges.
On environmental conservation, the children called for the promotion of clean energy, tree planting, wetland conservation and improved waste management.
The declaration further proposes the establishment of a permanent EAC Regional Children’s Council to provide a structured platform through which children can engage decision-makers and influence regional policies and programmes.
It also calls for greater inclusion of children with disabilities and those from rural areas, displaced communities and other vulnerable groups in climate-related decision-making.
The children want policymakers to be accountable by providing feedback on how their recommendations are considered and implemented.
The declaration places children’s participation at the centre of regional climate action, seeking to ensure that policies and programmes reflect their experiences, priorities and long-term interests.
