Pre-teen climate activist from Manipur, Licypriya Kangujam, created a major uproar when she staged a protest at the United Nations Climate Conference 2023 (COP28) in Dubai on December 11.
The 12-year-old climate activist from Manipur dashed on to the stage at the meet holding a sign that read: “End fossil fuels. Save our planet and our future.”
Licypriya Kangujam then delivered a short speech protesting against the use of fossil fuels for which she received a round of applause from the audience before being escorted away.
She later claimed that she was detained for her actions.
COP28 director-general ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi said he admired the young girl’s enthusiasm and encouraged audience present at the event to give her another round of applause.
Licypriya Kangujam posted the video of the event on Twitter and said: “They detained me for over 30 minutes after this protest. My only crime- asking to phase out fossil fuels, the top cause of climate crisis today. Now they kicked me out of COP28.”
Here is the full video of my protest today disrupting the UN High Level Plenary Session of #COP28UAE. They detained me for over 30 minutes after this protest. My only crime- Asking to Phase Out Fossil Fuels, the top cause of climate crisis today. Now they kicked me out of COP28. pic.twitter.com/ToPIJ3K9zM
— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) December 11, 2023
The young activist, who has been moving places to create awareness on climate change and promote climate action, added that the forum must support her if they “really stand” against fossil fuels. “What is the reason to cease my badge for protesting against the fossil fuels? If you’re really standing against the fossil fuels, then you must support me and you must immediately release my badges. This is gross violation and abuse of child rights in the UN premises which is against the UN principle. I have the rights to raise my voice at UN,” Licypriya Kangujam wrote.
The COP28 has been immersed in discussions about the gradual elimination of fossil fuels, drawing participation from almost 200 countries united in their efforts to address the issue. This year’s climate conference in Dubai witnessed the presence of approximately 60,000 delegates from 190 nations.
