From 15 to 26 June 2025, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) representatives Flore Ghetti and Alexandra M. Goossens-Ishii participated in the 62nd Subsidiary Bodies meeting (SB62) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Bonn, Germany. The meetings served as crucial stepping stones toward COP30, which will take place from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.

SGI's participation focused on advancing human rights-based approaches to climate action, promoting meaningful youth engagement and exploring synergies between climate, biodiversity and human rights frameworks. Through active involvement in the Human Rights and Climate Change Working Group and Youth NGO (YOUNGO), SGI advocated for inclusive and transformative climate solutions.

Ghetti, serving as co-coordinator of the YOUNGO working group on just transition, played a central role in negotiations on the Just Transition Work Programme. She delivered statements during negotiation sessions, participated in cross-constituency press conferences and organized bilateral discussions with key negotiators from Chile, Brazil, Germany and Australia. "Just transition is likely to be one of the major items of discussion at COP30, that Brazil might want to show success with the adoption of a strong Just Transition Work Programme," noted Ghetti during the proceedings.

In the margins of the SB62 meetings, Goossens-Ishii contributed to technical discussions on enhancing cooperation across the Rio conventions on biodiversity, climate and desertification that the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) organized in response to Resolution 16/22 on biodiversity and climate change, which was adopted in October 2024 during CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia. She co-facilitated breakout group discussions that identified pathways for better policy coherence, capacity building, and nature-based solutions. Additionally, during the SB62 meetings, Goossens-Ishii engaged in discussions with various representatives on advancing a human rights-based approach to climate and biodiversity action.

A significant highlight was SGI's co-organization of a workshop on "Seeking synergies in human rights, social and environmental safeguards for nature based solutions." The event, held on 22 June, brought together 30 participants from civil society, international organizations and state negotiators. Co-organized with SwedBio, the University of British Columbia and the Quaker United Nations Office, the workshop featured keynote presentations, the “Loving Earth” art exhibition curated by the Quaker United Nations Office and reflections from the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Ms. Elisa Morgera.

SGI's interfaith engagement was another important dimension of its participation at SB62. Goossens-Ishii actively contributed to the Interfaith Liaison Committee (ILC) activities, speaking during the first ILC press conference to highlight faith communities' perspectives on climate action. She also participated in the Talanoa Interfaith Dialogue and ILC coordination meetings, demonstrating SGI's commitment to multifaith collaboration in addressing the climate crisis.

The meetings concluded with mixed progress on critical issues. While parties reached agreements on research and systematic observation, discussions on the Global Goal on Adaptation remained challenging, with negotiations extending into the early hours of 27 June. The final outcomes highlighted ongoing divergences between developing and developed countries on climate finance and implementation approaches.

Looking ahead to COP30, SGI remains committed to amplifying youth voices and promoting rights-based climate action. The organization plans to engage collaboratively with SGI Brazil and the Soka Amazon Institute for the landmark climate conference in the heart of the Amazon, where global attention should focus on ecosystem conservation and sustainable development solutions.