By Abdullahi Lukman
Around 200 young Filipinos gathered at De La Salle University on Monday, August 11, to mark International Youth Day 2025 with a strong call for youth leadership in addressing the world’s “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
The event, themed “Mobilise & Ignite Youth Action: Advancing Sustainable Solutions for the Triple Planetary Crisis Through Innovation and Partnership,”was organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Philippines, in collaboration with Clean Air Asia and BAN Toxics.
“Young people are both the inheritors and architects of the future. We need their innovation and leadership now more than ever,” said UNIDO Country Representative Teddy Monroy, stressing the urgent need for youth-driven solutions to decouple environmental degradation from economic growth.
The day featured dynamic sessions aimed at empowering youth to take action. Among the highlights was “Youth Talks,” where inspiring youth-led initiatives were shared by Ramyr Angeles of Mobility Vision+, focused on smart urban mobility, and John Sherwin Felix, a food heritage researcher raising awareness on biodiversity through social media.
Participants interacted with the speakers through a digital Q&A segment called “Voices Unplugged.”
Two major workshops under the “Solutions Lab” banner showcased how youth can play a key role in environmental innovation. The first, on e-mobility, introduced UNIDO’s GEF-funded project “e-mobility ASAP,” which promotes sustainable urban transport through electric vehicles.
Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina of Clean Air Asia emphasized the youth’s role in shaping the future of sustainable transport as engineers, designers, and innovators.
The second workshop tackled healthcare waste, encouraging creative digital advocacy to raise awareness of its environmental and health risks.
Participants produced short videos highlighting issues such as toxic emissions from improper disposal and promoted actions like proper waste segregation.
BAN Toxics Executive Director Reynaldo San Juan Jr. stressed that youth can help lead change in healthcare waste management by using their creativity to spread awareness and promote responsible practices.
The event also launched two youth-centered initiatives: the E-Mobility Idea Competition, inviting 18–24-year-olds to pitch solutions to accelerate electric vehicle use, and #GenZeroPh, a campaign aimed at mobilizing youth-led environmental action and awareness nationwide.
“The EV Incentive Strategy sets the stage, but youth innovation will sustain the transformation,” said Corazon Halili-Dichosa of the Board of Investments.
The celebration concluded with a symbolic youth pact ceremony, where participants tied SDG-colored ribbons to a tree installation and submitted handwritten pledges, reaffirming their commitment to sustainability.
UNIDO’s Monroy closed with a reminder: “Only 35% of SDG targets are on track.
If we are to tackle the triple planetary crisis, we must accelerate action, and the youth must be at the forefront—as leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”