ASEAN Plus Three Youth Environment Forum 2010 “Creating a Climate for Change”140 youths from ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea, participated in the inaugural ASEAN +3 Youth Environment Forum (AYEF) 2010 on Climate Change that was held in Brunei Darussalam from 22-25 April 2010. Five nominated youth leaders (Miss Lim Yi Ting, Raffles Institution (Junior College); Mr Ng Zhi Kai, Dunman High School; Mr Lim Jing Kai, Republic Polytechnic; Mr Chua Ang Hong, Nanyang Technological University; and Mr Immanuel Lim, National Environment Agency) represented Singapore in the forum delegation.

With the aim to promote and create a platform for exchanging environmental ideas andexperiences among the ASEAN +3 youths, the Ministry of Development (Brunei Darussalam),supported by the Ministry of Education (Brunei Darussalam) and in cooperation with theASEAN Secretariat, hosted and organised the ASEAN +3 Youth Environment Forum 2010.

Singapore youth leader Mr Kenneth Wong, NEA’s Youth Environment Envoy, was invited tospeak at the forum on how youths can play a vital role in mitigating climate change.Through the guest speakers’ and various country paper presentations, the participants enhanced their knowledge and understanding on current and emerging regional environmental issues and cooperative programmes in the ASEAN +3 region. They also took part in the Climate Change Negotiation Simulation Exercise which enabled them to understand the difficulties and challenges from the different perspectives of Developed, Developing, Least Developing Countries and Small Islands Developing States, Private Sector, and Civil Society.

After four intensive days of discussions and presentations, the participants presented the ASEAN +3 Youth Convergence Plan which includes 10 activities that they would implement in their respective countries, as they took on the role of ASEAN +3 youth environment ambassadors. Some activities include Environmental Amazing Race which is a cycling contest to promote the use of bicycles as a mode of everyday transport and to appreciate nature, and Lunch Box Day which is a day to use personal lunch boxes for meals instead of plastic wares.

One significant achievement of the forum is the Statement on ASEAN +3 Youth Actions on Environment, drafted and endorsed by the youth participants. In this statement, the youths acknowledged their important roles in advocating environmental messages to the community. Through their active participation in activities, they would be able to safeguard the environment for the benefit of the present and future generations. The forum provided the opportunity for youths to learn about the current environmental issues, problems and best practices adopted in the ASEAN +3 region. Through the collaborations and networking opportunities provided by the forum, the participants are now able to work together regionally to achieve the goal of sustainable development and contribute to the vision of a clean and green ASEAN by 2015.

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