Aziel-Philippos Goulandris
Head of Organizing Committee,
2024 UN Youth Environmental Conference
Secretary General, WFUNA
Dear Youth Delegates,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 UN Youth Environmental Conference.
We are honored to co-host this event with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
and Econow, providing a meaningful platform for youth leaders to come together and address one of
the greatest challenges of our time — the climate crisis and plastic pollution.
The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), founded in 1946—just one year after
the establishment of the United Nations—is an international organization that connects and fosters
cooperation among United Nations Associations across the globe.
Our mission is to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development, and we are committed to
empowering young people to engage with global issues and become active changemakers in their
communities and beyond.
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, a milestone that reminds us of
the enduring importance of global solidarity and cooperation. Over the past eight decades, humanity has
faced numerous challenges, yet through unity and shared purpose, we have continued to move forward.
Today, however, we are confronted with an urgent and complex crisis — the escalating climate emergency
and the overwhelming problem of plastic pollution. Rising global temperatures, ocean degradation, and
the spread of microplastics threaten ecosystems, biodiversity, and the very foundation of life on Earth.
This conference calls for real action and collective responsibility. The ideas, debates, and commitments
you make here will not only inspire awareness but also spark concrete steps toward a cleaner,
more sustainable planet.
From reducing plastic waste to promoting circular economies, your creativity and determination can
lead to meaningful change. Each small effort—from rethinking consumption habits to driving community
initiatives can have a lasting global impact.
I hope this conference becomes a powerful starting point for your continued dedication to environmental
sustainability and climate action.
WFUNA stands ready to walk alongside you as you grow into global leaders who protect our planet and
advance the goals of the United Nations for generations to come.
Thank you.
ECONOW
5F, 7-35, Baumoe-ro 27-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea / Tel: +82-2-556-3012 / Fax: +82-2-6261-0403
Web: http://econow.or.kr / E-mail: eco@econow.or.kr
COPYRIGHTⓒ 2024 ECONOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.