How Young Visionaries Are Redefining Asia's Green Future
As the 2025 APEC Leaders’ Meeting approaches in the Republic of Korea, a new generation of leaders is stealing the spotlight. Four young innovators are demonstrating how grassroots action can drive systemic change – from protecting endangered ecosystems to pioneering cross-border climate solutions.
Meet the change-makers:
A Malaysian bioengineer developing AI tools to track deforestation
A Filipino researcher creating low-cost solar solutions for coastal communities
An Indonesian volunteer network mobilizing 10,000 youth for coral restoration
A Thai-Japanese cultural entrepreneur bridging traditional knowledge with modern sustainability practices
Their work aligns with this year's APEC theme symbolized by a butterfly – emphasizing how small actions create cascading impacts. 'We're not just attendees at these conferences; we're rewriting the agenda,' said 24-year-old marine conservationist Lintang Kusuma during a pre-summit workshop.
With youth-led startups attracting $2.3 billion in sustainable tech investments across Asia last year, business leaders see this demographic as crucial to achieving APEC's 2030 sustainability targets. The meeting will feature Asia's first youth-led innovation pavilion, showcasing 40 green projects eligible for seed funding.
