Youth leaders are no longer tomorrow’s problem-solvers; they are guiding today’s actions, Fiji’s Environment Minister Mosese Bulitavu told delegates at the Asia-Pacific Youth Environment Forum in Nadi. He praised Pacific youth for decades of mobilizing communities, holding governments accountable, and preserving culture as they push for lasting environmental solutions.
The forum in Nadi brought together more than 100 youth delegates from across Asia and the Pacific, alongside policymakers and environmental authorities. It is a landmark event for the region, marking the first time the forum has been hosted in the Pacific. The four-day gathering is co-hosted by Fiji’s government and the United Nations Environment Programme, underscoring a strengthened partnership between public institutions, civil society, and the private sector in advancing youth-led climate action.
Bulitavu emphasized that the ambition, creativity, and diverse perspectives of young people are essential to shaping sustainable, inclusive policies. “You are leaders now. Your ambition, creativity, and perspectives are invaluable in shaping the paths towards sustainability. Your active engagement in this Forum is essential to ensure that our solutions are inclusive and reflect our diverse knowledge systems,” he said.
Delegates discussed how youth-driven innovation can accelerate climate action and broader environmental change across the Pacific. The Forum’s conclusions are expected to contribute to the Asia-Pacific Youth Manifesto 2025, a document slated for presentation to regional ministers and, later, to the United Nations Environment Assembly. Fiji also stressed its commitment to transparently reporting which recommendations are adopted or rejected, reinforcing trust between youth and government.
The gathering aims to address key regional challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, with a focus on building stronger, more inclusive decision-making processes that center youth voices. The Forum is set to influence regional policy discussions and help shape the region’s approach to environmental governance well ahead of UNEA-7.
What this means for readers and the region
– Youth leadership is being embedded in formal regional processes, potentially accelerating climate resilience, conservation, and pollution-reduction efforts.
– The Asia-Pacific Youth Manifesto 2025 could steer ministerial discussions and MEA-related actions, linking local projects to high-level diplomacy.
– Fiji’s transparent reporting pledge may foster greater trust and accountability in how youth input informs policy.
– The event highlights growing regional collaboration to mobilize funding and technical support for youth-led initiatives.
Summary
The Asia-Pacific Youth Environment Forum in Nadi showcases the growing role of youth as current leaders in environmental governance. With plans to publish the Asia-Pacific Youth Manifesto 2025 and feed into UNEA-7, the gathering signals a hopeful trajectory for more inclusive, concrete climate and sustainability action across the Asia-Pacific. By integrating youth recommendations into national and regional processes, the Pacific is strengthening its collective voice on the global stage.
Outlook
The forum offers a positive path toward deeper youth involvement in regional decision-making, aligning ambitious proposals with practical actions, and widening partnerships to accelerate climate and biodiversity outcomes across the Pacific. The emphasis on collaboration and transparency suggests a momentum that could translate into tangible benefits for communities facing climate and environmental pressures.
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