Youth Voices in Fisheries:  Empowering the Next Generation at COFI36

The 36th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI36) took place from 8-12 July at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. As the largest global gathering of policymakers, experts and partners in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, COFI provides a crucial platform for addressing key issues. This week-long event concentrated on the essential role of fisheries and aquaculture in combating food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty, highlighting their potential to reduce hunger, foster sustainable development and mitigate environmental degradation.

In line with this year’s agenda, on 11 July the World Food Forum (WFF) organized a pivotal youth side event titled “Youth Voices in Fisheries: Bridging Generations for Sustainable Solutions”, connected with the WFF’s Youth Assembly Thematic Session on Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems that took place earlier this year in June.

The side event facilitated preliminary discussions on barriers, opportunities and strategies for gender equality and youth empowerment in aquatic food systems governance. It underscored the critical role of active youth participation in aquatic food systems governance, aligning with COFI’s mission to inclusively address international aquatic food systems issues. Discussions highlighted the significance of youth engagement in sustainable management practices, aiming to foster a new generation of leaders in the sector. Particular attention was given to empowering young women’s groups, reflecting a commitment to gender equality and inclusivity.

The side event was moderated by Javier García Bravo from the WFF, followed by a panel of experts from around the globe. Laura Sánchez, Deputy Assistant Director General of Legal Affairs and International Fisheries Governance of Spain, delivered a keynote address emphasizing youth engagement in sustainable aquatic food systems and the need to provide access to young people to function in this sector. Nada Zammel from the WFF Youth Policy Board highlighted the limited involvement of youth in high-level decision-making, citing barriers like lack of access to information and financial constraints. She stressed the need for integrating fisheries into global biodiversity frameworks to prevent environmental degradation and the potential of entrepreneurship, particularly in ecotourism and agritourism, to drive sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

During the panel discussion Xuechan Ma, from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) at FAO, highlighted barriers to youth participation, including lack of education, under-representation in policymaking and job insecurity. She emphasized the diverse challenges faced by young women and men and noted initiatives like the Blue Transformation prioritizing youth and women employment. Panelist, Ronald Rodriguez, from the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), stressed how youth are the present, actively shaping society and deserving recognition as participants in nation-building and global aquatic food systems. He emphasized the need for their inclusion in policy development and decision-making, advocating for the establishment and support of local youth organizations and networks in fisheries.

The panel discussion was followed by an interactive Q&A session led by WFF member Joao Neto, that allowed participants to engage in meaningful dialogue with the panelists. Ronald and Nada announced the establishment of a global youth constituency for aquatic food systems, aiming to unite young people globally, foster policy advocacy and ensure inclusive and sustainable practices in fisheries and agriculture. They called on youth organizations to nominate representatives interested in developing expertise and collaborating on initiatives. Leading up to the WFF flagship event in October and beyond, the WFF Youth Assembly will take fervent steps to ensure the working of this youth constituency through:

• Conducting outreach to engage more young people from diverse regions and backgrounds, identify local and global youth organizations and collaborate with youth groups like YOUNGO and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network.
• Identifying key partners within the Aquatic Food Systems to promote youth participation and provide necessary resources.
• Creating working groups to develop policies and working closely with policymakers to advocate for youth priorities.
• Organizing workshops and training sessions to equip youth with the skills needed to influence policy and practice, with regular consultation sessions both virtually and in-person.
• Monitoring the impact of our policies and initiatives, ensuring they meet the needs of young people.
• Hosting regional and global consultations to refine strategies from time to time.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Vera Agostini, FAO Deputy Director of the NFI Division, who emphasized that no kind of transformation can take place without the active and purposeful involvement of youth. She stressed that the NFI extends support to ensure space for youth in decision making and governance.

In conclusion, the event set the stage for a more equitable and innovative future in the fisheries and aquaculture sector by fostering dialogue and developing inclusive policies. The ongoing efforts to empower the next generation will undoubtedly contribute to achieving global food security and the Sustainable Development Goals.