IN 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its landmark advisory opinion on “the obligations of states with respect to climate change” at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
The ICJ determined that the 1.5°C temperature target is legally binding under the Paris Agreement and that all states, in particular the largest emitters, must take ambitious mitigation measures in line with the best available science.
The opinion arrived 6 years after a group of 27 students from the University of the South Pacific began campaigning on this issue, and more than 2 years after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution requesting the advisory opinion.
Building on this historic momentum, the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) have announced the launch of the Yumi Rise Collective.
This flagship regional youth leadership program is designed to equip the next generation of Pacific visionaries with the technical expertise and strategic networks needed to drive global climate justice.
“Our journey has been defined by transforming the seemingly impossible into the possible, from a classroom in Fiji to the world’s highest court,” said Abdul Shaheed, Engagement and Outreach Lead at the PISFCC.
“With the Yumi Rise Collective, we are ensuring that Pacific youth are strong agents in the fight for climate justice and are, but are central to shaping the outcomes of the global climate agenda -particularly as we look toward a historic ‘Blue Pacific COP’ at COP31”.
For the peoples of the Blue Pacific Continent, the climate crisis is a lived reality and an existential threat to sovereignty, culture, and identity.
While Pacific youth have long stood at the forefront of this fight, a significant capacity gap persists in formal policy spaces, often leaving our region’s official engagement capacity stretched thin.
The Yumi Rise Collective directly addresses this gap by creating a pipeline of technically proficient, strategically savvy young leaders.
The 9-month hybrid program moves beyond traditional training to a “Learn, Practice, Act” model, featuring intensive modules on international climate law, UNFCCC negotiation processes, Pacific ways of working and worldviews, and culturally-grounded advocacy.
Key features of the initiative include intergenerational mentorship, which connects participants with experienced climate negotiators, international lawyers, and community elders.
Additionally, the program focuses on climate justice impact projects, providing participants with the tools to produce tangible outputs, such as policy briefs and advocacy campaigns, that encourage meaningful action in their home countries.
A strong commitment to gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) ensures an inclusive leadership approach that represents the diverse voices of all Pacific people.
The initiative fosters a lifelong community through a professionally managed alumni network that encourages collaboration and peer support across the region.
Program information is available on the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) website.
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