BANGKOK, 8 June 2026 – More than 23,000 students across Thailand, Indonesia and Viet Nam have participated in hands-on ocean learning and conservation activities through UNESCO Sustaining Our Oceans: Building Healthy Relationships with Oceans in South-East Asia initiative since its launch in 2024.
Supported by Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., parent company of UNIQLO, the initiative promotes ocean literacy through education for sustainable development, empowering young people and communities to better understand and protect marine and coastal ecosystems. The initiative contributes to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), coordinated by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
To mark World Oceans Day 2026 under the global theme “ Reimagine Beyond the World We know: A new relationship with our ocean,” UNESCO, in partnership with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in Thailand, and supported by Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., brought together students, educators and ocean advocates from Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Viet Nam to explore how education can help build a new relationship with the ocean through science, stewardship and youth action at NEXTOPIA, Siam Paragon.
Since its launch, the initiative has developed a range of educational resources and learning experiences to strengthen ocean literacy across the region.
The future of our ocean depends not only on what we know, but on what we choose to teach, value and pass on. Through this initiative, young people are not only learning about marine ecosystems. They are developing the knowledge, skills and leadership to help protect them.
Soohyun KimRegional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
In Indonesia, it created Wakatobiku (My Wakatobi), a series of nine marine conservation learning resources for schools across the four main islands of the Wakatobi Biosphere Reserve. In Viet Nam, four ocean conservation handbooks were integrated into the curriculum of five schools in the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, reaching more than 4,000 students. In Thailand, the initiative has been implemented through pilot schools, community-based learning activities and public education programmes, reaching thousands of learners and families. This includes the Sustaining Our Oceans interactive exhibition at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Bangkok and exhibitions in UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Ranong, which have engaged more than 5,000 people in ocean education and marine conservation.
Young people have an important role to play in safeguarding the future of our oceans. Through initiatives such as Sustaining Our Oceans, students are developing not only knowledge about marine and coastal ecosystems but also the confidence and leadership skills to become agents of change in their communities. We are proud to support opportunities that empower youth to take action for ocean conservation and sustainable development.
Mr. Ukkrit SatapoominDeputy Director-General, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
OBEC stands ready to work closely with UNESCO and its network of partners to continuously expand and strengthen the implementation of this initiative, fostering sustainability within Thailand’s education system. We firmly believe that education for sustainable oceans will serve as a powerful force in nurturing knowledgeable and responsible young people who are prepared to play a vital role in safeguarding the world’s marine resources for future generations.
Dr. Phichet PhophakdeeSecretary-General, Office of Basic Education Commission, Ministry of Education of Thailand
The World Oceans Day celebration featured student presentations, exhibitions and dialogue sessions highlighting innovative solutions developed through the initiative. Among the projects showcased by students from Thailand were a solar-powered boat designed to collect waste from waterways, a community campaign to restore mangrove ecosystems, a research project on mangrove crab biodiversity and a waste monitoring system aimed at reducing canal water pollution. Six student projects received certificates from Thai Ministry of Education and UNESCO in recognition of their contributions to marine conservation.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/young-people-lead-ocean-conservation-action-across-thailand-viet-nam-and-indonesia-through-unesco?hub=701
