A Reflection from the Lens of Youth
The ASEAN region is not just where some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems are; it is also home to over 224 million youth and a steadily growing population that plays an increasingly vital role in shaping biodiversity policies and conservation efforts. From grassroots conservation initiatives to high-level policy engagements, youth-led movements in ASEAN have been instrumental in pushing for more inclusive and ambitious biodiversity governance. These were all showcased at the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024.
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), through the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme (AYBP), has spotlighted the participation of ASEAN youth at COP16. To ensure that youth representatives could engage meaningfully at the conference, the ACB has established an agreement with the Hanns Seidel Stiftung (HSS) to strengthen youth engagement in biodiversity governance. This model of collaboration between intergovernmental organisations and development partners provides a strong example of how institutions can empower youth to contribute to high-level environmental policymaking. By investing in youth participation, organisations foster the next generation of biodiversity champions and create a more inclusive and representative decision-making process.
The “Documenting ASEAN Youth Contributions to Global Goals”, project was a collaborative effort between the AYBP of the ACB and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) Southeast Asia, with support from the Hanns Seidel Stiftung (HSS) and the KfW Development Bank. It aimed to document youth-led initiatives that contribute to achieving the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF).
Based on responses from 344 respondents, this project identified 379 biodiversity-related projects in 10 ASEAN Member States, showcasing the impact at local and regional levels. Notably, all 379 projects were found to be aligned with KM GBF targets, highlighting the significant role of youth in driving biodiversity conservation efforts. These findings also emphasised the importance of integrating youth efforts, especially in biodiversity policymaking, to ensure inclusivity, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Nadia Putri Rachma, regional chapter coordinator of GYBN Southeast Asia and an ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Leader (AYBL) who led the regional coordination for the mapping project, added: “This mapping process is essential because it highlights and prioritises youth contributions, which are often overlooked. Since the KM GBF was first adopted in 2022, this study is the first of its kind. ASEAN is currently setting an example for youth globally by demonstrating how similar initiatives can be replicated worldwide. I am so grateful for the ten amazing young people. It helps them understand the youth movement in their country, and it helps me understand how ASEAN youth are doing.
Indonesia’s Priorities and Youth Engagement at COP16
Indonesia, a biodiversity hotspot hosting some of the world’s richest ecosystems, brought significant priorities to COP16. It focused on enhanced resource mobilisation for biodiversity, emphasising Article 8(j) to safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ (IPs and LCs) rights, and contributing to a robust monitoring framework for global biodiversity targets. Indonesia agreed to form the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j), demonstrating a commitment to IP and LC recognition and inclusion in CBD documents.
Beyond formal negotiations, the Indonesian delegation actively engaged with youth at COP16, especially with several Indonesian youth delegates representing the GYBN Indonesia and Southeast Asia. They participated in bilateral discussions, consultations, and side events, emphasising stronger youth inclusion in biodiversity decision-making. The delegation also discussed aligning youth grassroots initiatives and policy recommendations with national biodiversity strategies, fostering intergenerational dialogue.
As the Chapter Coordinator of GYBN Indonesia, Nadia said, “I have known our national focal points since we established the Indonesia chapter in 2020. It is a great opportunity to reconnect and discuss the importance of youth in a bigger space, such as COP16. Young people often face the same challenges in conservation, and having strong support from our national focal point is crucial in keeping us engaged and motivated.”
The Role of Youth in Indonesia’s Biodiversity Agenda
Youth are increasingly recognised as vital stakeholders in conservation and policy, particularly in Indonesia, where over half the population is under 30. Their ability to blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern technology and innovation uniquely positions them to tackle biodiversity challenges. As Indonesia strives to achieve its Indonesia 2045 Vision—a blueprint for a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable nation—the alignment with biodiversity goals is clear. Protecting ecosystems, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring resource equity are all critical components of this long-term vision, and youth will play a central role in realising these objectives.
Within this landscape, the role of Indonesian delegates at COP16 was crucial, particularly in amplifying youth participation. During the ASEAN side event at COP16, Nadia represented Young Biodiversity Leaders and the Regional and National Chapter Coordinator for both GYBN Southeast Asia and Indonesia, presented the findings and recommendations of the mapping project.
The mapping project was a critical tool to bridge gaps between local actions and national policy priorities. It documented the diverse activities of youth networks, such as raising awareness about biodiversity issues, supporting the protection of Indigenous knowledge, and facilitating grassroots conservation efforts. This initiative involved youth consultants from each ASEAN country in identifying how young people are actively shaping national biodiversity strategies, such as their National Biodiversity Strategic and Action Plan (NBSAP) and aligning them with international frameworks like the KM GBF. This project provided critical insights into how young people contribute to biodiversity conservation by identifying gaps and opportunities. It highlights how youth-led projects within ASEAN offers policymakers concrete recommendations on strengthening youth involvement in implementing the framework.
Furthermore, it outlined how youth organisations like GYBN Indonesia and youth programs like the AYBP align their initiatives with broader biodiversity goals, such as resource mobilisation, and Article 8(j) describes this. These insights informed decision-makers and inspired other youth delegates and organisations to adopt similar documentation practices.
A significant impact of the mapping project was that it gave a new, but often overlooked, perception that young people have been doing diverse projects to protect their biodiversity. Nadia presented the results and recommendations of the mapping to many relevant stakeholders, including the Indonesian National Focal Points and other ASEAN delegates. The delegates fostered trust and credibility by showcasing tangible evidence of youth contributions, demonstrating that young people can be active partners in biodiversity governance. This effort resonated with other youth organisations, encouraging them to prioritise structured and documented approaches to advocacy and project outcomes.
Despite its success, the mapping project also revealed the challenges of effectively documenting and tracking youth-led activities. Many youth initiatives lack the resources or capacity for systematic monitoring and reporting, which limits their visibility and potential impact. Reflecting on this, the youth delegates recognised the need for better tools and training to enhance their capacity for policy engagement. Moving forward, they aim to refine the mapping process, ensure consistent follow-up, and use the insights gained to advocate for more inclusive and accessible governance frameworks.
Leveraging COP16 Outcomes for Indonesia’s Biodiversity Goals
Nadia’s experience as a youth delegate at COP16 highlighted the paradox of biodiversity negotiations. While all parties share the goal of protecting nature, discussions often feel ego-driven rather than communal. Observing the negotiations was overwhelming as she grappled with the contradictions within the system.
According to Nadia “It should feel communal because biodiversity is inherently communal. Every country has good intentions: safeguarding its natural resources and ensuring the well-being of its people. Everyone’s agenda seems to come from a good place. We all recognise the system’s complexity, its brokenness and corruption. The system is very humane. We know we need new approaches to fix it, yet we still enable the broken system. This leads me to wonder: Who are we truly advocating for? Are we fully present and conscious in making decisions meant to benefit humanity, and if so, which humans?”
Amid these reflections, Nadia found hope in Indonesian beliefs such as Gotong Royong (communal collaboration), which emerged as a guiding principle for youth solidarity. This collective spirit was evident in their collaborative presentations and mutual support, which amplified the impact of their advocacy. By connecting biodiversity goals to the Indonesia 2045 Vision, they aim to inspire a new generation of leaders committed to sustainability and equity.
The reflections from COP16 highlight the significant strides made by Indonesian youth in biodiversity governance, yet they also underscore the need for continued growth. Through collaborative initiatives like the mapping project, fostering trust with stakeholders, and embracing inclusive cultural values, these young leaders are paving the way for a future where biodiversity thrives alongside human development. Their journey at COP16 serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of youth in shaping a sustainable and equitable world.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and are not intended to represent the official position or opinion of the ACB, KfW, the ASEAN Member States, its partners, or the ASEAN Secretariat.
