VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Indian Ocean Youth Assembly, held as part of the 13th CJSOI Games, concluded with strong calls for climate action from delegations representing the seven member countries of the Indian Ocean Commission. The youth delegates presented a series of recommendations to ministers, focusing on environmental challenges facing the region, including marine plastic pollution, coral bleaching and the degradation of mangroves due to climate change.
Delegations from Djibouti, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, La Réunion and the Comoros joined Seychelles in addressing the impact of climate change on their respective island environments. The Madagascar delegation highlighted the historical Kéré famine, caused not by war but by climate change, drought and deforestation, noting that Madagascar is responsible for only 0.01 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but suffers the most severe consequences.
The assembly emphasised the importance of the youth forum as a platform for proposing resolutions and addressing the future of the planet. “You are the heirs and the transmitters,” said Hibo Moumin Assoweh, president of the CJSOI and Djibouti’s Minister for Youth and Culture, in her opening address. The delegations proposed several innovative ideas, including “eco-awards” for influencers, eco-carnivals to motivate young people, and a youth group for the region to monitor the implementation of these solutions.
