Bangladeshi Youth Wins Young Activist Laureate Award in Geneva

Sohanur Rahman, a Bangladeshi youth leader and climate justice advocate, received the prestigious Young Activist Laureate Award 2024 at the Young Activists Summit (YAS24) in Geneva. He was recognized for his outstanding work in democracy, human rights, and environmental activism. Sohanur previously represented Bangladesh at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, where he earned praise from Professor Muhammad Yunus and Lutfe Siddiqui for his climate justice advocacy. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to climate victims and warriors, including his late colleague Saraban, a youth activist who passed during the July uprising. Sohanur founded YouthNet for Climate Justice in 2016, mobilizing thousands for sustainable policies. His leadership contributed to significant milestones, such as Bangladesh declaring the climate crisis a planetary emergency and halting ten proposed coal plants. He also supports the pro-democracy movement in Bangladesh.