Youths are not just tomorrow’s leaders; they are today’s change-makers. This was the core message from Environment and Climate Change Minister Mosese Bulitavu at the Asia-Pacific Youth Environment Forum in Nadi. He emphasized that Pacific youth have long been at the forefront of community mobilization, holding governments accountable, and preserving cultural heritage.
Bulitavu highlighted the importance of youth perspectives for creating sustainable solutions. “Your ambition and creativity are crucial for shaping our future,” he stated. He encouraged the delegates to engage actively, noting that the Forum aims to ensure that solutions reflect diverse knowledge systems.
The minister called for stronger partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector, and youth. He believes that innovation led by young people is essential for effective climate action and environmental change in the Pacific.
The discussions from this Forum will help form the Asia-Pacific Youth Manifesto 2025. This important document will be shared with regional ministers and presented at the United Nations Environment Assembly. Bulitavu stressed that for sustainability to flourish, the voices of youth must be central to policy development.
The Forum gathered youth delegates, policymakers, and environmental experts to discuss pressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. According to a recent UN report, nearly 1 in 4 Pacific Islanders are aged between 15 and 29, highlighting the crucial role of youth in these discussions.
For instance, a survey found that 85% of young people in the region want to be actively involved in environmental policy-making, showing their commitment to leading the way. This engagement is vital as social media trends reflect a growing youth movement advocating for climate action, seen in campaigns that have gone viral like #FridaysForFuture. These trends indicate a shift in how young people are perceived, not just as future contributors but as essential actors in addressing current challenges.
As we look ahead, the involvement of youth in environmental activism will likely be a driving force for change, making their inclusion in decision-making processes more important than ever.
For more insights on climate action and sustainability, you can reference the [United Nations Environment Programme](https://www.unep.org). This highlights the commitment to environmental policies that include diverse voices like those of our young people today.
