Press release

UNESCO and the Coca-Cola Foundation launch “Youth and Innovation for Ocean” initiative

Hanoi, 8 June 2020: On World Oceans Day, UNESCO is pleased to announce the “Youth and Innovation for Ocean” initiative to empower university students and young professionals to put forward innovative and practical solutions in reducing, reusing, recycling and managing plastic waste in coastal regions of Viet Nam. The initiative is under the partnership between UNESCO and The Coca-Cola Foundation established since 2017 for solutions to manage plastic waste, toward as sustainable green economy in Vietnam.

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8 June 2020

Last update:20 April 2023

Furthermore, the initiative will also kick-off the Youth and Young Professionals on Innovation, Science and Technology Platform for Resiliency (U-INSPIRE) as a national hub for supporting knowledge sharing and innovative ideas from young Vietnamese citizens to address environmental and development issues in the country.

“we know that Vietnamese youth are talented and have solutions to offer in all areas of development. Our job is to help these creative young people connect to each other and support the ideas that grow from these interactions.”

The UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam, Michael Croft

“the Foundation is keen to support such forward-looking initiatives that position youth at the forefront of change and draw out their natural talent and energy to address head-on issues such as plastic waste and other environment concerns which directly affected their communities. We are ready to be amazed.”

Ms. Le Tu Cam Ly – Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability – Coca-Cola Indochina

This initiative reflects UNESCO’s strong commitment to support Viet Nam to maintain a healthy and sustainable ocean, contributing to both the National Strategy on Sustainable Marine Economy until 2030, vision 2045 and the National Action Plan for Management of Marine Plastic Litter by 2030.

“Youth and Innovation for Ocean” builds on the success of the previous “Art for Recycle” Initiative in 2019. It reflects the desire of both UNESCO and the Coca-Cola Foundation to support youth as key change makers for sustainable development.

For Vietnamese version of this press release, please access the link

Media contact

Ms Le Viet Anh – Project Officer, Natural Science Sector

UNESCO Viet Nam, Green One UN House

304 Kim Ma, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Email: va.le@unesco.org Tel: +84 24 3850 1882