Youth drive action on ocean sustainability at the UN Ocean Conference

On 9 June, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Forum (WFF)’s Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative) co-hosted an interactive youth-led side event during the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France. The event, organized in collaboration with the Government of Norway, was held aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl vessel.

This event was a pivotal milestone in the consultative process that aims to establish a Fisheries and Aquaculture Youth Constituency ahead of the 37th session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI37). It focused on gathering youth recommendations to shape the future of fisheries and aquaculture, fostering inclusive representation and engagement in global policy discussions.

Building on the momentum from an earlier online consultation held on 20 May 2025, which brought together over 400 youth participants, this in-person event explored three critical areas for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; data and science, effective management and capacity development.

Young representatives from across the sector led insightful discussions, offering their perspectives and proposing actions to address current challenges. The session also provided a platform to further refine the youth constituency’s objectives and ensure continued youth leadership throughout the process.

The session brought together experts and youth in an intergenerational dialogue, featuring FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, who emphasized that while FAO is advancing multiple initiatives in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, real transformation depends on youth being empowered as active participants and not just as observers.

The outcomes of this consultative process will guide youth-led activities throughout 2025 and contribute to the development of a comprehensive consultation report. This report will be presented at the WFF flagship event and will outline a roadmap of recommended initiatives leading up to COFI37.

For a deeper understanding of the key messages and proposals from the event, read the Youth Statement on Fisheries and Aquaculture in the context of UNOC.

To get involved in upcoming initiatives and help shape the future of the sector

Join the Fisheries and Aquaculture Youth Constituency