Dubai, In a dramatic moment at the United Nations Climate Conference 2023 (COP28) in Dubai, 12-year-old Licypriya Kangujam, a climate activist from Manipur, took the stage by storm. Dashing onto the platform, she held a sign aloft that unequivocally declared, “End fossil fuels. Save our planet and our future.”
The passionate young activist delivered a brief yet impactful speech, passionately protesting against the use of fossil fuels. The audience responded with applause before Kangujam was escorted off the stage. COP28 Director-General Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi commended the young girl’s enthusiasm, encouraging the audience to show their appreciation once more.
Sharing her experience on social media, Kangujam revealed that she was detained for over 30 minutes after the protest. Her act of advocating for the phasing out of fossil fuels, the primary cause of the climate crisis, led to her expulsion from COP28.
In a subsequent post, Kangujam questioned the reason for revoking her badge, emphasizing her right to raise her voice at the UN. The 12-year-old activist serves as a Special Envoy of Timor Leste.
The incident unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing debates at COP28, where nearly 200 countries are grappling with the imperative to address the issue of fossil fuels. With approximately 60,000 delegates from 190 nations participating, this year’s climate conference in Dubai remains a crucial platform for shaping global strategies in the face of climate change.
