‘Youth are key innovators, implementers, and community leaders in the ocean economy’ |10 June 2025
‘Youth are key innovators, implementers, and community leaders in the ocean economy’
The Department of the Blue Economy participated in a high-level side event ‘Beyond Sustainability: The Promise of a Regenerative Blue Economy - From Concept to Practice’, co-hosted by the IUCN, AFD and OECD, UNOC3 in Nice.
Seychelles, long regarded as a pioneer in the Blue Economy, highlighted how small island developing states (Sids) are uniquely positioned to lead regenerative efforts that centre both nature and people.
Representing the Department of Blue Economy in Panel 2 was Gabriella Gonthier, senior international cooperation officer. The panel focused on translating regenerative blue economy principles into practice, with Ms Gonthier speaking about the indispensable role of youth in shaping an inclusive, equitable, and ocean-positive future.
Ms Gonthier brought forward a compelling message: “The exclusion of youth in the ocean economy is not a talent gap; it is a structural gap, and ultimately, a choice.”
She further stated that “with over 1.8 billion young people worldwide, many of whom reside in coastal and island nations, we cannot afford to treat youth as passive stakeholders. They are key innovators, implementers, and community leaders in the ocean economy”.
The Department of the Blue Economy reaffirms that youth empowerment is not a peripheral concern, but a foundational pillar of the Seychelles Blue Economy Roadmap. Through its Programme Development Section, the department has consistently advanced initiatives that place young people at the centre of ocean-related development. These include targeted efforts in ocean literacy, public awareness, and youth entrepreneurship, which have been embedded in the department’s strategy since its inception.
The outcomes of the side event will inform discussions during UNOC Panel 6 - ‘Advancing sustainable ocean-based economies and coastal community resilience, leaving no one behind’. These inputs will shape global strategies toward meeting SDG 14 and beyond.
Contributed