During the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, twelve young ocean advocates took the stage at La Baleine to present the Citizen of the Ocean Youth Manifesto. This powerful and unified statement calls for bold, inclusive, and intergenerational ocean governance that places youth at the heart of decision-making.

Supported by the Youth Ocean Leadership and Advocacy (YOLA) project—a three-year initiative co-funded by Erasmus+ to empower young people (18–30) with leadership and advocacy skills to drive ocean conservation and climate action—the Manifesto reflects the shared values, priorities, and demands of youth determined to take action for the ocean at UNOC3 and beyond.

The Manifesto is the result of a global, collaborative process led by the Citizen of the Ocean Initiative, which brings together youth from around the world to amplify their voices and raise expectations toward decision-makers for ocean protection and restoration. It began at the Citizen of the Ocean Summit in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, where YOLA kicked off and sixty young people gathered to draft the first version. Since then, Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) and youth from diverse networks have helped shape the final text.

Read and sign the Manifesto: https://urlr.me/qHhtE4

Read more about YOLA: the project and the kick off.