Bhubaneswar, June 5: The Odisha Conference of Youth (OCOY) 2026 was officially launched on Friday at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, on the occasion of World Environment Day, to bring together youth leaders, government representatives, development partners, climate experts, and changemakers to strengthen youth-led climate action across Odisha.
The event was organized by Youth4Water Plus, a youth platform supported by UNICEF, and unveiled the official OCOY 2026 Logo, Theme, and Application Portal, paving the way for one of Odisha’s biggest youth-led climate initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Prasanta Dash, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Odisha, underscored the importance of youth leadership in addressing the climate crisis. “Young people are not just stakeholders in climate action—they are catalysts for transformative change. Their ideas, energy, and leadership are essential to creating resilient communities and securing a sustainable future,” he said.
The event featured a unique highlight, the announcement of the OCOY 2026 Youth Committee and Youth Climate Champions, recognizing emerging youth leaders who will spearhead climate awareness, advocacy, and action across the State.
Padma Shri Dilip Kumar Tirkey, President of Hockey India, inspired the youth by stressing on the importance of leadership, discipline, and collective action in addressing climate challenges. He called upon the youth to be the advocates of sustainability and play an active role in working towards creating a greener, more resilient, and environment-friendly Odisha.
The launch event was also graced with inspiring words from Odia actress Anu Choudhury and Dr. Ramesh Chandra Behera, Deputy Secretary, NSS, Department of Higher Educationcollectively called for greater youth involvement in environmental governance and climate solutions.
A video presentation included the journey of OCOY from the year 2023 to 2025, and how the platform has grown into a thriving movement of the young climate leaders of Odisha.
Youth4Water Plus has emerged as one of the most vibrant youth movements in Odisha, engaging nearly 5 lakh young people across the state. With climate risks increasingly affecting communities across the globe, OCOY 2026 aims to provide a platform for young people to share ideas, highlight innovations, shape policy discussions, and formulate actionable solutions for a sustainable and climate-resilient Odisha.
The event concluded with a joint call to action, inviting every young citizen to become a champion for the planet and help work for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future.
