Distinguished guests, regional leaders, scholars, youth leaders and representatives—
Magandang Araw. Buenos Dias. 안녕하세요. 반갑습니다.
A Peaceful, Prosperous, and Sustainable Greeting to everyone.
Here at the heart of the Island of World Peace, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. We are ever honored to have beened as the regional youth representatives of each of our regions and as we have gathered here in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, we have heard, and thought, and discussed endless hours of issues and concerns that could affect and are currently affecting our realities and collective futures through the lens of young people, guided by the hands and words of praise-worthy adults.
Today, we celebrate Peace, Prosperity, and Sustainability, as this year’s theme is “Voices of Sustainable Tomorrow in Asia and the Pacific”. The 2025 Jeju Forum Young Leaders’ Program represent these voices, as over the last three days, we have gone through so much thinking, so much pondering, and even more so, felt so much more for our “tomorrow”, not just as young leaders, but as torchbearers—as the generation who is next in line.
With this, as the representatives of the 2025 Jeju Forum Young Leaders Program, we present to you the 2025 Jeju Young Leaders Declaration.
| Empowering Asia-Pacific Youth for Inclusive Governance and Sustainable Peace in the Digital Age (Peace)
We, the young leaders of the Asia-Pacific region, affirm that peace is more than the absence of violence—it is a dynamic, inclusive, and transformative process rooted in justice, dialogue, and intrinsic respect for human dignity. Inspired by the Pillars of the United Nations Security Council Resolution no. 2250 and its following resolutions, we emphasize the crucial role of youth as proactive changemakers, not passive beneficiaries. Yet, despite our resilience and creativity, we continue to face systemic and structural barriers in formal peace processes, legislative playgrounds, and access to resources. We call for inclusive national action plans, mandatory youth representation in governance, sustainable and just funding for youth-led local peace engagements, and structured support for intercultural and inter-faith dialogue, civic education, and democratic participation.
As we confront the rapid changes of the digital age, we raise concern over the manipulated spread of misinformation, disinformation, unregulated AI-content, algorithmic radicalization, and online harassment, which threaten our democratic values and social cohesion. We urge governments, especially the Asia-Pacific member economies, tech platforms, and institutions to co-develop transparent, rights-based, and inclusive AI regulations and invest in digital literacy, ethical journalism, and algorithm reforms that prioritize human rights and sectoral well-being, especially our young people. We envision a peaceful tomorrow built not by silencing the young, but by empowering us to shape our collective future. In solidarity, we declare our commitment to building inclusive, just, and sustainable peace across all borders—online and offline, now and for generations to come.
| Fostering a Just and Inclusive Digital Future for the Asia-Pacific Region (Prosperity)
We, the young leaders of the Asia-Pacific region, recognize that we are living in a time of extraordinary transformation. The digital era offers remarkable innovative tools, but it also brings new and urgent challenges that require adaptive and inclusive solutions. Digital inequality continues to persist both within and among our economies, disproportionately affecting underrepresented groups. To bridge this gap, we call on governments and institutions to promote digital inclusion by sharing resources, investing in robust digital infrastructure, and working hand-in-hand with communities to ensure no one is left behind.
However, digital access alone is not enough. We must also prepare our people for the future by advancing community-based digital literacy programs and integrating digital skills into regional education systems and lifelong learning initiatives. As we navigate transformative technologies such as AI, it is critical to develop human-centered AI policies rooted in ethical principles and shaped by inclusive public participation. We urge leaders across the Asia-Pacific region, especially the APEC member economies, to mobilize people as partners in innovation through open fora and meaningful engagement, ensuring that digital progress is anchored in justice, equity, and the common good. Let our region be where innovation meets inclusion and progress is powered by people—for a truly peaceful, just, and prosperous digital future.
| Empowering Youth as Catalysts for Climate Resilience, Marine Conservation, and Cultural Preservation (Sustainability)
As young leaders of the Asia-Pacific region, we acutely recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and directly experience the threats confronting Jeju’s marine ecosystems. Rising sea levels and ocean desertification endanger the livelihoods of the haenyeo—Jeju’s traditional women divers—while also jeopardizing local fisheries and cultural heritage. Yet this is not solely Jeju’s problem. It is a microcosm of the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, and a shared challenge we must face together. Youth are no longer a mere generational category; we are essential actors in designing resilient societies and leading sustainable change.
We call for the establishment of youth-centered climate governance mechanisms that promote cooperation among governments, local authorities, and the private sector, and that monitor progress through youth- and field-driven, bottom-up participation in order to strengthen the protection of marine ecosystems. We emphasize the need to integrate climate literacy into primary and secondary school curricula, so that future generations may gain an accurate understanding of marine ecosystems and foster a strong sense of stewardship. We urge stronger measures to safeguard Jeju’s haenyeo culture, including the restoration of marine forests and the reinforcement of their economic foundations. These efforts will contribute to marine ecosystem recovery, revitalize the local economy, and ensure the sustainable preservation of culture. Finally, digital transformation and artificial intelligence will serve as vital means to realize these goals. However, the role of youth alone is not enough; the roles of governments, local authorities, and APEC member economies are equally important. The climate crisis is no longer a matter confined to individuals or single nations. It requires sustained global attention and practical solutions. In this process, advances in AI technology will connect young people, nations, and ultimately the world. May this declaration serve as a message of solidarity—extending beyond the seas of Jeju, across the Asia-Pacific, and to the global community.
As young leaders of the Asia-Pacific region, we stand united in our commitment to forge a future where peace, prosperity, and sustainability are not just ideals, but lived realities for all.
Our generation, along with generations-worth hands that guide us, carries the responsibility and the hope to drive inclusive governance, harness transformative innovation, and champion climate resilience—together, across borders and cultures.
This is the heart of the 2025 Jeju Youth Declaration: moving beyond crisis into meaningful participation in the peace process, inclusive and just digital prosperity, climate resilience and sustainability, powered by policy, science, culture, and solidarity.
Let our young voices of tomorrow be heard—from Jeju to the world. For peace, prosperity, and sustainable tomorrow.
Daghang Salamat. Gracias. 감사합니다.
