Climate activist Vanessa Nakate appointed as UNICEF goodwill ambassador

United Nations: On Thursday, Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate, 25, was named a goodwill ambassador by the U.N. agency for children, UNICEF.

Greta Thunberg of Sweden served as Nakate's inspiration when she started her climate action in 2019. Since then, she has founded the Rise Up Movement and spoken at international climate summits.

"This role with UNICEF will provide me with more opportunities to meet children and young people in the places most affected by climate change and an expanded platform to advocate on their behalf," Nakate said, Reuters reported.

Nakate visited northwest Kenya this past week to observe the effects of the region's worst drought in more than 40 years. She visited communities dealing with the effects of the climate catastrophe, including those where families were using solar-powered water systems and children were receiving treatment for severe malnutrition.

According to UNICEF, 33 nations classified as being at "extremely high risk" of experiencing the effects of climate change are home to over half of the world's 2.2 billion children. The top ten nations are all located in Africa.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said she hopes Nakate's appointment "will help ensure that the voices of children and young people are never cut out of the conversation on climate change – and always included in decisions that affect their lives."