Seoul, Republic of Korea, 21 August 2024 – The United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) are set to co-host the 2024 SDGs Youth Summer Camp in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and K-Eco from 20 to 23 August at GGGI headquarters in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This year’s event will bring together 30 youth leaders from around the world to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: plastic pollution.

The 2024 SDGs Youth Summer Camp aims to empower young leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The camp will focus specifically on the plastic pollution crisis, a global issue that sees one million plastic bottles purchased every minute and up to five trillion plastic bags used annually, yet less than 10% of this waste is recycled. By fostering critical thinking, leadership skills, and collaborative problem-solving, the camp seeks to inspire the next generation of leaders to take bold action against plastic pollution.

The Summer Camp is structured to provide a hands-on learning experience, utilizing UNEP’s framework for ending plastic pollution. Participants will engage in expert presentations, interactive sessions, and group work designed to stimulate real-world policymaking and proposal development processes. The program will culminate in the presentation of draft proposals developed by the participants, aimed at tackling the plastic pollution crisis through innovative and sustainable solutions

“The plastic pollution crisis demands urgent and innovative solutions,” stated Dr. Kyungnam Shin, Assistant Director General at GGGI. “This year’s SDGs Youth Summer Camp, organized in partnership with UNOSD, UNDESA, K-eco, and GGGI, exemplifies the multi-stakeholder collaboration needed to empower young leaders. By bringing together bright minds from around the world, we are catalyzing action to shape a future where sustainable practices are the norm.”

GGGI is an international organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. By focusing on green growth, GGGI works to transform economies toward a model of economic growth that is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.

UNOSD, a part of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), provides support to UN Member States and other stakeholders to advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through capacity building, policy advice, and knowledge sharing, UNOSD helps countries integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national strategies and policies.

This year’s camp also builds on past efforts, with UNOSD having organized similar events since 2017 training over 250 young leaders to date. “The 2024 edition not only continues this tradition but also enhances it by focusing on one of the most urgent environmental issues of our time and is particularly timely with the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution to be held later this year in Busan, Republic of Korea,” said Mr. Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office for UNOSD.

Looking ahead, GGGI and UNOSD plan to continue strengthening their partnership to empower youth leaders and drive sustainable development globally. 

Contact Information:
United Nation’s Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD)
Ms. Ilae Kim
Programme Management Assistant
kim23@un.org
+82 (32) 822-9087