At the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, the Youth Ocean Leadership and Advocacy (YOLA) project brought youth voices for the ocean to the forefront. By presenting its flagship initiative, the Citizens of the Ocean Summit, YOLA demonstrated how empowering young people through training and access to knowledge can transform ocean governance.
Highlights of YOLA’s Participation
YOLA’s participation focused on promoting the Citizens of the Ocean Summit, a pioneering programme that equips young people with the tools and confidence to act as advocates for the ocean. Sharing this initiative at such a major international event offered an opportunity to show how meaningful youth participation in ocean governance depends not only on enthusiasm but also on capacity-building and informed engagement.
Presenting the Citizens of the Ocean Summit
The project was featured during the Congress Forum through a dedicated poster presentation and live session. YOLA representatives presented the Summit’s methodology, main outcomes, and lessons learned. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the participatory and empowering approach that enables youth to make tangible contributions to ocean policies.
The initiative also gained visibility through the Voices of the Congress video series, in which YOLA highlighted its commitments and expectations for ocean conservation, emphasizing the importance of education and intergenerational collaboration in shaping a sustainable future for the ocean.
Key Takeaways and Emerging Collaborations
The Congress, including the Youth Summit that preceded it, provided valuable insights and new opportunities for collaboration. Discussions and sessions underlined the central role of young leaders between 18 and 35 years old in advancing global conservation and ocean agendas.
The session “From Local to Global Action: Youth Leadership Across IUCN Commissions” particularly resonated with YOLA’s mission, showcasing innovative youth-led initiatives and reinforcing the need for stronger intergenerational partnerships.
Across IUCN’s strategic priorities, youth are now recognised as essential stewards of nature, fully aligned with YOLA’s vision of empowering local ocean leaders. This alignment opens the door for future co-creation with youth networks and organisations eager to link ocean literacy, innovation, and education.
Advancing YOLA’s Mission
By participating in the IUCN World Conservation Congress, YOLA strengthened its position as a key actor in developing youth leadership for international ocean governance. Presenting its methodology, training outcomes, and findings from the Blue Survey gave YOLA a global platform to showcase its innovative approach to capacity-building.
These exchanges with youth networks, researchers, and policy actors expanded collaboration opportunities and visibility while supporting YOLA’s broader goal of preparing young advocates for real-world policy engagement, including in processes such as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) negotiations.
Through this engagement, YOLA continues to equip young ocean advocates with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take part in science-based advocacy and contribute effectively to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Find the presentation: here.
Another previous article: here.
Picture Credit: Nausicáa