Every year, on 12 August, the world celebrates International Youth Day, acknowledging the power of young people in translating global goals into local actions.

With the theme "Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond," International Youth Day 2025 highlights the significant role of youth in achieving a sustainable future. Across the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs), young people are not only beneficiaries of change but are its driving force, actively participating in efforts to protect our coastal and marine environments. Their creativity, energy and deep community ties are bridging the gap between high-level policy and grassroots action, and the now with the future.

The SCS SAP Project recognizes that youth engagement is a necessity, not optional, especially for meeting the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Spanning six countries—Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam — the SCS SAP is built on the principle that countries themselves, driven by their people, are the true implementers of change. Young voices are essential in this journey, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to pressing issues like habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change. 

Young people from the region are already demonstrating this commitment through their participation in local SCS SAP Project activities and inspiring fellow young people to protect the ocean. For example, a young person in the Philippines highlights the importance of effective marine protected areas, noting that community participation in safeguarding these zones leads to a healthier ocean and stronger fisheries for the future. Similarly, a young advocate from Vietnam emphasizes the need to stop plastic pollution at its source to protect vital seagrass beds, which are essential for both marine life and coastal protection. In Indonesia, a young voice points out that big change starts with small daily choices, like refusing single-use plastic, proving that individual actions can lead to collective impact.

By engaging in these local actions, young people are directly contributing to the project’s objectives, from restoring mangroves in Cambodia and Thailand to protecting seagrass beds and coral reefs in China and Indonesia. Their efforts are crucial for building the project’s legacy and ensuring that the vision for healthy seas thrives long after the project concludes. As the world moves toward 2030, the dedication of these young leaders shows that the future of our oceans is in capable hands, creating a powerful wave of change from the ground up.

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