DPD Chairman Invites Youth to Lead Global Green Movement at IGYLS 2026

Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of the Republic of Indonesia, Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, has invited young people from various countries to lead the global green movement to address the challenges of the climate crisis. In his speech opening the International Green Youth Leaders Summit (IGYLS) 2026 at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, Sultan stated that the future of the earth is not determined by how many ideas are born, but by the courage of the younger generation to turn ideas into real action. “This forum is not merely about bringing together young people from different countries, but about creating a space to foster collaboration, leadership, and real action for the future of the earth,” Sultan said. According to him, the forum is an important momentum to strengthen cross-country collaboration in producing young leaders who possess integrity, environmental awareness, and the courage to make decisions for a sustainable world future. Sultan emphasised that the world is facing a climate crisis that can no longer be viewed solely as an environmental issue, as its impacts have spread to the health, food, and economic sectors, and even the quality of democracy. Therefore, he stated that every public policy must make the climate crisis a moral foundation. He also reminded the younger generation that they are the future of the nation who will become leaders of integrity. “Do not just be a generation that goes viral. Be a generation of value. Nations and the world are not built on fleeting popularity, but on consistent integrity,” Sultan advised the cross-country youth. Sultan also invited all elements, from the government, parliament, universities, the business world, and communities, to the younger generation, to strengthen collaboration in facing global challenges. “Young people are not the inheritors of problems, but the owners of solutions. The future cannot be saved by one country or one generation alone. We must move together to build a sustainable future,” he said. Met after the opening, Sultan said IGYLS is underpinned by the spirit of green democracy. This idea encourages public policy to be oriented not only towards economic growth but also environmental sustainability. The forum serves as a platform for the younger generation from at least 12 countries to discuss impactful environmental actions. “If we used to know the term climate change, then global warming, today it might be more than that, global heating. It is truly extraordinary heating. As a tropical country with a very large number of forests, we should be leading that,” he said.