12 November 2025
13:00 – 14:00
Location TBC
Lead Organiser/s EAAFP Youth Task Force
Co-organiser/s CEPA Working Group
The EAAFP (East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership) Youth Task Force is the youth counterpart of EAAFP, a partnership organization launched in November 2006 aiming to protect migratory waterbirds, their habitats and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them. This task force is youth-led and is dedicated to advocating for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats. As stated in the (11th Meeting of Partners) MOP11 Decision 10, the youth task force will create a pathway for young leaders in science and conservation to become involved in the EAAFP and potentially become future leaders in the Partnership.
Recognizing the critical role of migratory waterbirds in global biodiversity, the youth task force brings in young advocates, researchers, conservationists from countries covering the East Asian-Australasian Flyway region committed to raising awareness and taking proactive measures in protecting their habitats, operating at flyway level.
The task force works closely with EAAFP and its partner organizations, national governments, intergovernmental agencies, and NGOs to promote sustainable practices, educate the public, specifically the youth, and influence decisions at MOP (Meeting of Partners).
Currently, the EAAFP Youth Task Force is guided and supported by the CEPA Working Group of EAAFP and the task force has not been formalized but it is currently operating. With this, the side event during MOP12 aims to:
- Present the proposed Terms of Reference (TOR) and 2025-2027 Work Plan, outlining the Task Force’s mission, structure, and strategic priorities for youth engagement in migratory waterbird and wetland conservation in the flyway region
- Present previous and ongoing youth initiatives of the EAAFP Youth Task Force locally, nationally, and internationally
- Host a dynamic panel discussion bringing together youth, NGOs, governments, and foundations to address youth challenges and foster collaboration between youth and other stakeholders
Alignment with the EAAFP Strategic Plan (2019–2028)
The EAAFP Youth Task Force (YTF) side event at MOP12 directly supports Partnership Objective 2 – Enhance communication, education, participation, and awareness (CEPA) of the values of migratory waterbirds and their habitats. By showcasing youth-led initiatives and facilitating a panel discussion with diverse stakeholders, the event promotes meaningful youth participation, awareness-raising, and education, in line with CEPA goals.
The event also aligns with Partnership Objective 3 – Enhance flyway research and monitoring activities, build knowledge, and promote the exchange of information on waterbirds and their habitats. Through the presentation of the proposed Terms of Reference and 2025–2027 Work Plan, the Youth Task Force highlights its role in supporting research, monitoring, and knowledge-sharing across the Flyway.
In alignment with the MOP12 theme, “Weaving Connections: Celebrating Migration, Traditional Knowledge, and Innovation across our Flyway,” the side event brings together early-career conservationists from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. It embodies the spirit of collaboration by connecting scientific innovation, traditional ecological knowledge, and multi-stakeholder engagement—strengthening the role of youth in the Flyway Partnership.