Global leadership of youth advocates is critical to advancing durable ocean protection and restoration to tackle the greatest challenge facing our planet. Building on the year round work of our community of young ocean advocates, representing over 100 countries, EarthEcho International will participate in the United Nations COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai from December 6-10, 2023. EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council members Diego Arreola Fernández, Maraki Tamrat, and Marianela Pepe, as well as EarthEcho’s Director of Youth Engagement, Sean Russell, will represent our team on the ground in Dubai. There, alongside members of our global GenSea youth community, partner organizations, government agencies, and conservation leaders, we will call for ambitious action to advance ocean protection with the meaningful inclusion of youth voices at the forefront of this work.

Interested in connecting with our team on the ground in Dubai to explore collaboration opportunities or for joint events? Contact Sean Russell at srussell@earthecho.org or follow along on social media @EarthEcho for live updates throughout the week.

Throughout our time in Dubai, we are honored to join partners for a series of events to prioritize youth voices in advancing ambitious ocean protection and climate action. Please consider joining us at the following sessions:

‍Friday, December 8 from 10:15am-11:15am GST - Dear World Leaders: A Message From Youth Event (U.S. Center, Blue Zone) featuring EarthEcho YLC member, Maraki Tamrat Livestream available for virtual participation at: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheUSCenter

‍Friday, December 8 from 4:00-4:30pm GST - Ocean Perspectives session at the Convergence Forum hosted with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (Slovenia Pavilion, Green Zone) featuring EarthEcho team members Marianela Pepe, Diego Arreola Fernández, and Sean Russell Register to attend here.

‍Saturday, December 9, from 12:30pm-1:30pm GST - Climate Education, Capacity building and Awareness Raising for the SDGs (Greening Education Hub, Al Ferjan Room, Green Zone) with EarthEcho YLC Member Diego Arreola Fernández

‍Saturday, December 9 from 1:30pm-3:00pm GST- Sailing Towards Ratification, A Fireside Chat on the High Seas Treaty (Benelux Pavilion, Blue Zone) hosted by the Government of Belgium with the Blue Leaders featuring EarthEcho YLC member Maraki Tamrat