The Ultimatum: Youth Deliver a Radical Blueprint to Save a Multilateral System in Crisis

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The world stands at a precipice. We are navigating a time of profound global uncertainty, geopolitical realignment, and a deepening crisis of international cooperation. The multilateral system—the very machinery designed to keep our world functioning—is facing unprecedented challenges, plagued by widening trust deficits and growing inequalities.

In the midst of this chaos, a unified voice has emerged, not with a plea, but with a plan. The Global Youth Declaration on the Environment 2025 is not merely a statement of intent; it is a collective call for urgent, ambitious, and inclusive action presented to the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) and Member States.

Representing over 2,000 organizations and 12,000 members worldwide, the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) has drawn a line in the sand. Their message is clear: The window for action is closing, and if UNEA is to remain relevant to the world it serves, it must recognize young people not just as future stakeholders, but as present-day partners.

I. The Diagnosis: A System on the Brink

The Declaration arrives at a moment when the world is "off track on nearly all global goals". The triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—is accelerating, fueled by a global economic architecture that traps the Global South in debt cycles and denies them the fiscal space to act.

The youth point to specific failures that have deepened this crisis of trust:

Negotiation Collapses: The recent collapse of the IMO shipping levy and the faltering INC-5.2 plastics treaty negotiations have starkly exposed the weaknesses in global environmental governance.

fragmentation: The current system is disjointed. Over the past six sessions, UNEA has adopted 105 resolutions that are often too specific or disconnected, stretching limited resources thin.

The Implementation Gap: Trillions pledged for climate and biodiversity finance remain undelivered, leaving vulnerable nations defenseless against environmental shocks.

"This broader crisis of international cooperation is starkly reflected in the environmental domain." 

II. The Mobilization: A Global Roar

This Declaration was not written in a vacuum. It is the culmination of an unprecedented mobilization of youth across every corner of the globe since UNEA-6.

In Africa: Youth convened in Nairobi to address climate resilience and environmental justice alongside AMCEN-20.

In the Asia-Pacific: Meeting in Fiji, young leaders pushed for a high-ambition plastics treaty and highlighted Pacific climate leadership.

In the Caribbean: The first in-person youth conference in Jamaica tackled the intersection of ocean conservation and human rights.

In West Asia: The Arab Youth Environment Forum focused on the critical nexus of conflict, peacebuilding, and environmental justice.

From the "Mottainai Youth Declaration" in Osaka to the halls of the UN Summit of the Future , the youth have proven they are already leading the response to the planetary crisis through innovation and advocacy.

III. The Blueprint: Five Interconnected Transformations

To restore faith in global cooperation and tackle the crisis, the youth demand five interconnected transformations.

1. Reform Environmental Governance

The current fragmentation must end. The youth call for the establishment of a high-level task force to identify synergies between Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). They demand that science be embedded at the core of decision-making, institutionalizing scientific input directly into UNEA negotiations to ensure resolutions are grounded in reality, not just politics.

2. Rewrite the Economic Rulebook

The Declaration identifies the "linear, extractive economic model" as a root driver of the crisis.

End the Fossil Age: A demand for a rapid, just phase-out of fossil fuel expansion.

Cap Resource Use: Advanced economies must set legally binding targets for absolute resource reduction.

Fix the Money: The International Financial Architecture (IFA) is unjust and structurally biased. The youth call for debt sustainability reviews, scaling up concessional finance, and implementing innovative levies on carbon, fossil fuels, aviation, and shipping.

3. Confront the Pollution Nightmare

Pollution now causes one in six deaths globally. The youth demand a legally binding plastics treaty that caps virgin plastic production and eliminates toxic additives. They insist on a "polluter pays" framework where those responsible for contamination bear the full costs of remediation and community care.

Toxic Bans: A call to expand the list of "forever chemicals" (PFAS) for a global phase-out.

4. Protect Nature & Build Resilience

We must move from promises to local action. The Declaration calls for a "Protect-Manage-Restore" hierarchy that prioritizes conserving intact ecosystems above all else. Crucially, it demands that Indigenous Peoples and local communities be legally empowered as co-managers of ecosystems, ensuring their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is central to the solution.

5. Embed Intergenerational Equity

Youth participation can no longer be tokenistic. The Declaration demands the institutionalization of youth in decision-making through dedicated mechanisms and sustained resourcing. This includes upholding the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a legally enforceable human right.

IV. The Future is Now

The Global Youth Declaration serves as a reminder that while the multilateral system faces a crisis of legitimacy, change is still possible. But that change requires UNEA-7 to rise to the scale of the challenge.

The youth have laid out the roadmap. They have done the work, mobilizing across borders and thematic divides. Now, the burden shifts to the Member States.

The question remains: Will UNEA remain a venue for slow deliberation, or will it become the platform for the bold, systemic transformation the world desperately needs?

"If UNEA is to remain relevant to the world it seeks to serve, it must recognise young people not just as future stakeholders but as present-day partners in decision-making and implementation." 

The youth are watching.

The Heartbeat of Negros: Unveiling the Secrets of Dumaguete

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

There are places you visit, and then there are places that inhabit you. Dumaguete is the latter. As the holiday season approaches, bringing with it a desire for reconnection and comforting warmth, this city does not merely welcome travelers—it captures their souls.

Located in the province of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete is often called the "City of Gentle People," but beneath that gentle exterior lies a landscape of fierce beauty, ancient whispers, and thundering waters. It is a destination that offers a vivid, unforgettable narrative for the family willing to listen.

I. Into the Blue: The Cathedral Beneath the Waves

To understand Dumaguete, one must first leave the land behind. Just off the coast lies Apo Island, a sanctuary that defies description. It is not simply a diving spot; it is a pilgrimage site for those who seek the divine in nature.

Here, the ocean floor is a vibrant metropolis. Thanks to diligent conservation efforts, the marine biodiversity is breathtaking. Imagine drifting weightlessly over a kaleidoscope of corals, surrounded by schooling trevally, shimmering angelfish, and the gentle, ancient giants of the deep—sea turtles.

The drama continues above the surface. After communing with the reef fish, a trek to the island’s summit reveals a solitary lighthouse. Standing atop this vantage point, you are treated to a sweeping, panoramic view of the cerulean skies melting into the endless blue—a visual symphony of isolation and peace.

II. Echoes of the Ancients: The 10-Foot Swords of Silliman

For the history aficionado, the ground beneath Dumaguete holds stories that date back to the dawn of civilization. The Silliman Anthropological Museum, housed within the prestigious Silliman University, is a portal to the past.

This is not a dusty collection of trinkets; it is a vault of indigenous heritage. Here, you can sift through the timeline of Negros and Mindanao. The exhibits are striking: rare maps that charted old worlds, resources on the mystical practices of Visayan folk medicine, and archaeological artifacts dating back as far as 500–200 B.C.

Most arresting of all are the 10-foot long kris swords—weapons of such scale and craftsmanship that they evoke images of a time when warriors and legends walked the earth.

III. The Roar in the Rainforest: Conquering Casaroro

Tucked away in the lush embrace of Valencia—dubbed the greenest municipality in Negros Oriental—lies a secret that demands effort to uncover. It is off the beaten path, hidden deep within a dense rainforest.

You will hear it before you see it.

The Casaroro Falls announces itself with the thunderous crash of water striking ancient stones. The journey to get there is a hike, a physical test that rewards you with the scent of fresh air and the sight of tropical flora so vibrant it seems to wick away your fatigue instantly. It is a raw, powerful display of nature that reminds us of the world's untamed beauty.

The Soul of the City: Three Legends of Dumaguete

Beyond the sights, Dumaguete is built on stories. To truly know this place, you must know its lore:

The Cinematic Legacy: This is the hometown of National Artist Eddie Romero. It is no wonder his works, such as Blood Island, feel so visceral; they were inspired by the nearby island of Siquijor, echoing the creative energy of his roots.

The Literary Rite of Passage: The city is the hallowed ground of the Silliman National Writers Workshop. For decades, it has served as the crucible for Filipino storytellers and wordsmiths, a place where the country's literary voice is honed.

The Legend of Catalina: Ask the locals, and they might whisper the tale of Catalina. In local folklore, she is the heroine who saved the city from the sigbin—a terrifying creature of Philippine mythology. Her legend stands as a testament to the city's resilience and mystery.

Puerto Princesa: Where Stone Meets Sea and Legends Awaken

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Puerto Princesa is not merely a destination; it is a threshold. It is the gateway to the Philippines' "Last Frontier," a place where the boundaries between the primal earth and the modern world dissolve into emerald waters and towering limestone cliffs.

To travel here is to step into a narrative written over millions of years—a story of subterranean rivers, turquoise archipelagos, and prehistoric creatures that still roam the earth.

I. Into the Abyss: The Subterranean River

The crown jewel of Palawan is not built by hands, but carved by time. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that demands silence and awe.

Imagine drifting on a small boat, leaving the lush jungle behind as you glide into the gaping maw of a limestone mountain. This is a mountain-to-sea ecosystem, a geological wonder estimated to be over 20 million years old.

Inside, the world transforms. The air cools, heavy with the scent of wet stone and minerals. As you paddle through the dark, your torchlight reveals a cathedral of stalactites and stalagmites—nature's own gothic architecture. But the cave is alive.

The Hidden Residents: This limestone habitat is a sanctuary for biodiversity found nowhere else. Keep your eyes peeled for the Philippine cockatoo, the elusive freshwater turtle, and endemic species of Begonia flowers that bloom in the twilight.

When the tides are low, the river invites you deeper into the earth, a journey that feels less like tourism and more like an expedition into the planet's past.

II. The Azure Escape: Island Hopping in Honda Bay

If the Underground River is the mystery of the dark, Honda Bay is the celebration of the light. Just a short distance from Puerto Princesa City, the palette shifts violently from grey stone to blinding turquoise and verdant green.

This is the quintessential island-hopping adventure. The coastline here is deep blue, a stark contrast to the white sandbars that emerge like mirages.

Luli Island: A shifting paradise that appears and disappears with the tide, offering a morning swim in crystal-clear waters.

Cowrie Island: The ultimate rest stop, where the reward for a day of snorkeling is a lavish seafood buffet served right on the shore.

The waters here are teeming with life, offering snorkeling experiences where the coral gardens rival the vibrance of the jungle above.

III. Been A While, Crocodile: Encounters with the Prehistoric

In the heart of the city lies a place where the modern world meets the Jurassic. The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (formerly the Crocodile Farm) serves a critical mission: the rehabilitation of endangered species.

Here, you witness the sheer power of nature. The facility houses colorful wildlife rescued from illegal trade and habitat loss, but the main attraction remains the crocodiles. It is a visceral reminder of the wildness of Palawan.

For the brave, the center offers a chance to interact with baby crocodiles—a tactile connection to a lineage of predators that has survived for eons.

IV. The Taste and Tale of the City

Puerto Princesa is not just about landscapes; it is about the flavor and the lore that permeates the air.

The Culinary Challenge: Tamilok

No trip to Puerto Princesa is complete without facing the Tamilok. Often called a "woodworm," it is actually a mollusk harvested from rotting mangroves.

The Preparation: It is served raw, marinated in vinegar, chili, and calamansi, much like a Peruvian ceviche.

The Experience: It is a slippery, briny delicacy that tastes of the ocean and the wood—a true rite of passage for the gastronomic adventurer.

The Cinematic Legend

The city also holds a place in Philippine pop culture history. In 1996, the legendary Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) directed and starred in Hagedorn, an action biopic about the titular Puerto Princesa mayor. It is a testament to the city's rugged charisma that it served as the backdrop for the King of Philippine Cinema.

Puerto Princesa awaits. Will you brave the woodworm, drift into the dark river, and swim the turquoise tides?