Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) held “Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit 2020 ”audition, the finalists were selected based on two stage judgement, including statement proposal and English interview. First Prize winner, Ms. Tsung from National Experimental High School at Hsinchu Science Park, stood out in the audition among 22 competitors. She will receive worth NTD, 62,000 Taiwan-Palau round-trip tickets, free accommodation, and a grant of NTD, 8,000.

OAC encourages young people to act positively in international ocean affairs. It is a great chance for the youth to participate in “Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit 2020 ”, which will be hosted by our ally Palau. Having the opportunity to cooperate with youth leaders around the world and share our experiences of ocean governance, will expand Taiwan’s international space and raise global profile.

First Prize winner, Ms. Tsung has participated in Model United Nations, Ocean Model United Nations, Taiwan Junior Debate Challenge, and won the Bronze Medal at International Mathematical / Science Olympiad. She is the Coral Reefs Ambassador and advocates raising the awareness of global ocean conservation, protection our ocean and our future.

Second Prize winner, Ms. Du from National Taiwan University, was the delegate of International Environment Leadership Seminar in Israel, the ambassador of Global Youth Trend Forum-Youth Initiatives for Sustainable Development, and the head delegate of National Model United Nations held in New York.

Third Prize winner, Mr. Chen from Keelung Municipal Anle Senior High School, accepts offer of admission to the Department of Electrical Engineering of the National Taiwan University. He has been engaged in ocean affairs since his childhood, and took part in International Student Conservation Leadership Summit, got First Prize at Taiwan International Science Fair, Second Prize at International Science and Engineering Fair entitled “The Development and Application of Harvesting Kinetic Energy from Marine Fish”. Also, he is willing to make contributions to maintain sustainable ocean and our country as “Ocean Nation”.

Minister Lee, Chung-Wei indicated that Our Ocean Conference (OOC) is highlighted, which focus on 6 action areas of protected areas, a clean ocean, climate change, sustainable blue economies, sustainable food from the ocean, and maritime security this year. The participants are heads of government, ministers, businesses, NGOs and cross country enterprises. OOC plays a vital role in international ocean affairs. With the participation of young generations, the government emphasizes the importance of ocean sustainable development. Hoping the collaboration between outstanding youth representatives and experts in international ocean affairs, will make creative ideas and enthusiasm into practice, work together to realize the goal of ocean sustainability.

Minister Lee also mentioned that ocean is boundless, the crisis and challenges of ocean affairs are critical issues. As a result, we call for global cooperation aiming at facilitating innovative technologies to foster ocean sustainable development and contributing to ocean resource sustainability.