Jane Njuguna of Kenya: Shaping Climate and SDG Agendas at the UN

When Jane Njuguna walks into international policy spaces, she carries more than credentials. She carries voices the hopes, frustrations, and dreams of African youth so often excluded from global conversations on climate justice, diplomacy, and sustainable development.

The Kenyan-born Global Youth SDG and Climate Advocate has already carved out a reputation on the international stage, boldly championing youth inclusion in diplomacy and policymaking. Her advocacy, however, didn’t begin in air-conditioned conference rooms or high-level summits. “I often say my advocacy didn’t begin in a conference room it started at home,” Jane reflects.

Growing up, Jane watched her father, a former chairman of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), support education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives in their community. “He supported young people’s education from kindergarten to university or technical colleges,” she says. “He also led projects like dispensaries, classrooms, and tree-planting. I knew I wanted to be part of that kind of change.”

It was during her secondary school years that Jane first encountered the world of international relations. Inspired by leaders such as Kenya’s former Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amina Mohammed, and the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Jane saw diplomacy not just as a career path but as a tool for justice and unity. “Kofi Annan’s leadership especially stood out,” she says. “Seeing a Black African leading peace talks in Kenya and heading the United Nations made me believe nothing is impossible.”

That belief has fuelled Jane’s steady rise. From supporting diplomatic engagements at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, to working behind the scenes on President William Ruto’s historic state visit to the United States the first by an African head of state in nearly two decades at the time Jane’s experience spans both grassroots and government. “It was surreal,” she recalls. “I was part of the Americas and Caribbean Directorate, working closely with the US Desk. The planning, coordination, and trust-building involved taught me that behind every handshake is a mountain of strategy.”

Jane has not only observed diplomacy she’s helped shape it. One of her proudest moments came in 2024, when she was selected to participate in the United Nations Code of Conduct for Information Integrity. The process brought together young leaders, including UN Young Leaders for the SDGs, to tackle the challenges of misinformation and disinformation. Their contributions were later presented by the UN Secretary-General during the 79th General Assembly. “It reminded me that while we might not always see immediate change, our voices can shift narratives and eventually, systems,” she says.

Still, gaining access to these spaces is no easy feat. Jane is candid about the barriers: tokenism, age and gender bias, and the lack of financial support. “Sometimes we’re invited just to tick a box. You’re expected to be present, but not vocal,” she says. She also raises the critical issue of financial exclusion. “When COP29 was around the corner, flights to Baku tripled and even basic meals were unaffordable for many youth. Some starved during the summit. How is that inclusion?”

She adds: Being young doesn’t mean being uninformed. I always carry data, stories, and a clear purpose.

Jane’s commitment to continuous learning stands out. She credits the UNDP’s Climate Security Academy and the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) with deepening her understanding of climate governance, peacebuilding, and the intersections of peace and climate risk. “It’s one thing to feel passionate about an issue; it’s another to be equipped to influence it effectively,” she says. She’s currently enrolled in a course on Global Health by One Young World and the Gates Foundation, exploring intersections between diplomacy and health equity. “I believe you can never be too experienced to learn,” she says.

For young Africans eager to engage in climate diplomacy, she says two things are critical: knowledge and access. “Substantive understanding of systems like the UNFCCC is critical, but so are visas and funding support,” she adds. “Some people can’t even distinguish weather from climate. Passion is great, but knowledge is power.” She also advocates for programmes that blend technical expertise with mentorship like YOUNGO’s policy tracks or AGNES training modules.

Jane is clear-eyed about the uphill battle African youth still face globally. “We’re speaking, but not always being heard or understood,” she says. While Africa has the world’s youngest population, young people are consistently underrepresented in key forums. At COP28, African youth made up less than 4% of registered youth delegates. And globally, less than 2% of climate finance is directly accessible to youth-led initiatives.

Despite this, Jane sees hope. She points to youth-led climate litigation, growing numbers of youth negotiators, and a shift in public perception. “States are slowly realising that innovation and youthful energy aren’t risks they’re resources,” she says. She believes young diplomats will increasingly bridge traditional diplomacy with emerging issues like digital governance, AI, and climate mobility.

Despite the often-slow-moving nature of diplomacy, Jane stays grounded by remembering her “why.” “When I speak in global rooms, I carry the faces of young people I’ve met in Kenya and those I engage with on social media. Their resilience is my fuel,” she shares. “Even the slowest shifts, when consistent, can move mountains.”

Her vision for leadership is one rooted in courage, compassion, and community.  “The world needs leaders who can speak truth to power and still be willing to listen,” she says. “Young people aren’t just inheriting this climate crisis we’re inheriting the responsibility to solve it. That’s why we must act now.”

Looking to the future, Jane is excited about several upcoming speaking engagements and collaborative projects with both youth-led and international organisations. Her goal is to continue shaping global conversations and ensuring African youth are not just heard, but respected and empowered. She sees herself not only as a participant in global forums, but as a builder creating new platforms where others can also lead.

To young people across the continent, her message is clear: “Start where you are, with what you have. Join a local movement. Volunteer. Learn. Take free online courses. Speak up. And when doors don’t open, build your own tables. Your voice is needed not someday, but today.”

She adds, “Position yourself. Invest in yourself. There’s nothing as painful as an opportunity finding you unprepared.”

With her voice, conviction, and deep commitment, Jane Njuguna is not just participating in global diplomacy she’s transforming it, one policy, one platform, and one conversation at a time.

In Jane Njuguna’s story, we see the rising force of a new generation rooted in history, fuelled by purpose, and ready to lead.

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