23 November 2023 - Today, I want to share some exciting news! We, at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, recognize the energy, creativity, and potential of our Pacific youth leaders as they are a driving force behind our region’s progress and prosperity.
As part of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General’s Young Climate Leaders Alliance (PYCLA), we organised a written competition for Pacific Small Island Developing States to do a submission on their understanding of Just Transition and the cross-cutting thematic area of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).
We received an enormous number of applications and would like to acknowledge the effort put by our Pacific youths. The winner of the competition is Ms Metoyer Lohia from Papua New Guinea. I would like to extend my warm congratulations to Ms Lohia. As part of this important journey, Ms. Lohia will join Youths from the region and around the world to advocate and bring to center stage, at COP28, issues that are priority to the Blue Pacific Continent and the very survival of the planet that Lohia, like other youths, continue to inherit from us.
My dear Young Leaders, your creativity has the power to ignite the imagination of millions and drive momentum for our shared goals. And your passion, as always – is going to light up the rooms of the COP28 and ignite the negotiations and corridors for the 1.5 net zero future this planet needs.
Vinaka vakalevu, Meitaki Maata, and thank you.
[ENDS]
