Ashley Lashley Appointed to UN Secretary-General’s Expanded Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
Barbadian Climate Advocate Joins Global Leaders at a Critical Moment for Climate Action
Bridgetown, Barbados — On International Youth Day, Tuesday 12 August 2025, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of fourteen young climate leaders to the third cohort of his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change—including Barbados’ own Ashley Lashley.
The announcement comes during a decisive year for climate action—the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement—when countries are submitting updated national climate plans ahead of the landmark COP30 conference. With the world’s progress towards limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C still far from sufficient, the expanded advisory group reflects a renewed urgency to accelerate solutions.
Recognizing a concerning global trend of shrinking civic space and limited funding for youth-led initiatives, the Secretary-General has doubled the membership of the Group from seven to fourteen, ensuring a stronger, more diverse youth voice in shaping global climate policy.
“To serve in this role is to carry the Caribbean’s cry for climate justice and to hold the world accountable for the debt it owes to SIDS,” said Ashley Lashley.
Ashley’s appointment builds on a remarkable track record of advocacy and action. A UNICEF Youth Advocate, CARICOM Youth Ambassador, and former Miss World Barbados, she has dedicated her life to addressing the intersection of climate, health, and youth empowerment. At just 16, she founded Schools Against Non-Communicable Diseases, later launching the HEY Campaign, which has mobilized more than 500 climate activists worldwide. Through The Ashley Lashley Foundation, she has grown the HEY Campaign into the largest youth-led global movement focused on climate and health.
Ashley also spearheads Eco Fit Youth, a Caribbean initiative promoting the 5Rs—refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose—through wellness and fitness activities for children.
The newly appointed Youth Advisory Group members represent a broad spectrum of regions, expertise, and lived experiences, and will provide practical, action-oriented advice to the Secretary-General to support the UN’s climate goals. Members are expected to engage widely with youth networks to ensure the voices of young people everywhere are heard at the highest levels.
Secretary-General António Guterres praised the new cohort, stating:
“Young people's fearless advocacy has been pivotal in the fight against the climate crisis. That means more space for young voices at the table, more space for youth leadership, and more space to shape climate action. To young people everywhere—don’t give up.”
For the full UN announcement and the complete list of appointed members, please see the official press release here: United Nations Climate Action.
📥 [Click here to download the full press release(PDF)]