By Special Correspondent
Nice, France – India and the Global South made a powerful impact at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference 2025, with the Young Environmentalists Programme Trust leading a passionate push for ocean literacy and coastal justice. Held in Nice, France, the global summit saw participation from over 170 nations, united under the groundbreaking declaration “Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action.”
At the heart of India’s contribution was Elsie Gabriel, Founder of the Young Environmentalists Programme Trust and Ocean School India, who led her team with a focus on integrating ocean literacy into national education policy and advocating for the vulnerable island regions of Lakshadweep and the Andamans. Though not formally classified as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), these territories, she stressed, face equivalent climate threats and deserve equal recognition and global support.
Gabriel’s strong message was delivered across multiple platforms, from being a featured speaker at IOC UNESCO and the Universal Versatile Society, to presenting her published abstract at the Ocean Congress titled “Integrating Knowledge Systems for Responsible and Respectful Ocean Stewardship.”
Key platforms where Gabriel and the Trust were represented include:
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European Digital Ocean Pavilion
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Economist Ocean Dialogues
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Katapult Ocean’s Shipboard Event aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl
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Heirs to Our Ocean: Intergenerational Leadership Dialogue
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IOC UNESCO Pavilion
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Women in Ocean Action
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IUCN
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ECOP
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Advancing Skills and Capacity Development Tools Marketplace
The Trust’s ocean literacy impact has reached over 50,000 students and trained more than 300 educators, with ongoing efforts to translate UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy Framework into regional Indian languages. A timely highlight was the launch of “An Introduction to Ocean Literacy”, co-authored by Tanya Satish, Youth Ambassador and YOUNGO member, and Elsie Gabriel, specifically in conjunction with the conference.
Adding to the celebration, Gabriel was named a 2025 Mentor for the SOA Ocean Leaders Fellowship, reflecting her dedication to youth mentorship in marine conservation.
“It’s an honour to mentor SOA’s 2025 cohort. As we gather in Nice for the Ocean Conference, I’m deeply moved to help shape the next wave of ocean leaders who will champion global collaboration and systems change,” Gabriel said.
“We are also proud to have received the second-place Ocean Education Award by Ocean Census-Nippon Foundation in partnership with Nekton and Boat International, as well as recognition from Blue Threads IOC UNESCO on our contributions to Ocean Literacy.”
As the world gears up for major global ocean milestones like the BBNJ Treaty, WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and the Global Plastics Treaty, the Young Environmentalists Programme Trust stands committed to championing an inclusive and equitable ocean future—powered by youth engagement, ocean education, and grassroots leadership from the Global South.
