“Sustaining Our Oceans” Project

Education for Global Environmental Conservation

The “Sustaining Our Oceans” project, led by the UNESCO Bangkok Office, connects youths in Japan and Southeast Asia with marine ecosystems, fosters marine conservation skills, and aims to contribute to a sustainable future. Today, our oceans face critical challenges. Pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change are threatening marine life and entire ecosystems. Additionally, rapid urban development and population growth in coastal regions are intensifying these problems and severely impacting global climate stability.
This project supports youths in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam by enhancing their understanding of marine issues and encouraging active participation in conservation efforts. By raising awareness about marine debris and offering educational opportunities on its environmental impacts, the project aims to nurture future leaders in marine conservation. It does so by equipping both students and teachers with essential knowledge and skills. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to promote biodiversity conservation and increase youth engagement in building sustainable environments.
In Southeast Asia, project activities have focused on four UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves, which serve as “living laboratories” to explore biodiversity and sustainable resource use. In Japan, ACCU acts as the coordinator, leveraging the UNESCO Associated School Network to compile practices from schools and communities across the country and promote international exchange.
The project will run until 2026, including a study visit at the Itoigawa Geopark in Niigata Prefecture (November 2024), participation in events at the Osaka-Kansai Expo (from April 2025), online seminars, study visits, and various related activities.
The “Sustaining Our Oceans” project is made possible with support from Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., the parent company of UNIQLO. Through its “JOIN: The Power of Clothing” campaign, the company advocates for sustainable development and community engagement.
　

Cu Lao Cham, Hoi An Biosphere Reserve