Licypriya Kangujam, a 12-year-old Manipur climate activist, ran onto the stage today at the United Nations Climate Conference 2023 (COP28) in Dubai. She dashed onto the platform, holding a sign that read, “End fossil fuels. Save our planet and our future.”
After rushing onto the stage, the teenager delivered a short speech condemning the use of fossil fuels, for which the audience applauded her before being dragged away.
The young girl’s enthusiasm was praised by COP28 Director-General Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, who encouraged the audience to give her another round of applause.
The activist from Manipur shared the video of the incident on X, 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
In another post on X she penned, “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.”
Dear Mr @antonioguterres Sir @simonstiell Sir,
What is the reason to cease my @UNFCCC #COP28UAE 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… pic.twitter.com/NgfT0ElJ5J— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) December 11, 2023
Phasing out fossil fuels has been a point of debate at COP28, with almost 200 countries joining in trying to resolve the problem.