Advancing Youth Leadership in Ocean Action: MMPH Executive Director at the 2025 Blue Wave Conference
- Mangrove Matters PH
- Dec 14, 2025
- 5 min read
The Blue Wave Conference: Youth Empowerment for Ocean Science and Action took place on October 30–31, 2025, in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, convening more than 100 youth delegates, researchers, educators, and policy advocates from over 15 countries. Organized in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), the conference served as a regional platform to strengthen youth participation in ocean science, governance, and community-driven action.
Among the distinguished youth speakers was Leo Anthony Castro, Executive Director of Mangrove Matters PH (MMPH), who participated in a series of high-level engagements focused on ocean literacy, blue carbon ecosystems, and community-based conservation. Castro’s participation was made possible through an invitation from the conference’s lead organizer, Dr. Shenghui Li, in recognition of his leadership in youth-led mangrove advocacy and blue carbon action in the Philippines.
His participation was fully supported by the conference organizers, with additional institutional support from the Philippines National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP) through Zoological Society of London Philippines, the Global Mangrove Alliance Philippines (GMAP) through Wetlands International Philippines, and CarmelCare Philippines Foundation Inc.
Castro served as both speaker and panelist in three major sessions:
October 30, 2025
Rising Tides, Rising Leaders: Youth Science and Action for a Resilient Ocean
Youth Engagement in Blue Citizen Initiatives
October 31, 2025
Ocean Literacy Hub Asia
Across these engagements, he presented the collective efforts of Filipino youth in coastal and mangrove conservation, emphasizing the role of GMAP in advancing mangrove restoration and policy advocacy, alongside NBCAP’s work in developing the National Blue Carbon Roadmap—a strategic framework guiding the Philippines’ blue carbon initiatives toward climate resilience and sustainable development.
Central to his presentations was the work of Mangrove Matters PH, anchored on its four core pillars: youth engagement, policy lobbying, nature-based solutions, and science communication. Castro highlighted how these pillars function collectively; mobilizing young people at the grassroots, translating community experiences into policy-relevant insights, implementing ecosystem-based solutions such as mangrove restoration, and communicating science in accessible ways to both decision-makers and coastal communities.
Castro demonstrated how youth-led initiatives complement national and international conservation frameworks by citing concrete examples from the Philippines, including the country’s first youth-led National Mangrove Youth Summit, which gathered 30 young conservation leaders and equipped them with knowledge and skills from various experts to pursue a shared advocacy for mangrove stewardship. He also highlighted youth-led policy lobbying efforts that contributed to the enactment of seven new protected areas in the Philippines, illustrating how organized youth engagement can translate grassroots advocacy into tangible policy outcomes aligned with national conservation priorities and global climate commitments such as the 30x30 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Among the youth speakers, Castro had the highest number of speaking engagements, underscoring the resonance of his insights and reflecting growing regional and global interest in Philippine leadership in blue carbon, particularly in youth-driven mangrove conservation.
Several of Castro’s statements were noted by participants for their emphasis on collaboration, shared responsibility, and intergenerational leadership:
“Small actions can grow into powerful movements when rooted in purpose and community. Change doesn’t start big; it starts with people who care enough to do something, no matter how small.”
“True conservation thrives through teamwork and collaboration. When communities, scientists, and policymakers work hand in hand, we turn conservation goals into lasting impact.”
“We are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the co-leaders of today. Our voices and actions now help shape the sustainable future we all dream of.”
“As youth, we have the most to lose or gain from the decisions and actions being made today. So we have to rise as active participants, not just spectators, in creating the change we wish to see.”
“We actively seek participation in national and international dialogues because our coastal ecosystems and communities cannot reach these kinds of conferences on their own. We speak for them, amplifying their stories, challenges, and hopes on the global stage.”
Castro also emphasized that his participation represented the collective work of Mangrove Matters PH, shaped by the dedication of its founding members, youth volunteers, partner organizations, and community leaders across the Philippines. He acknowledged that MMPH’s growth as a youth organization is the result of sustained collaboration, mentorship, and trust-building among individuals committed to coastal protection and youth empowerment.
Their combined efforts have enabled the organization to engage meaningfully in policy spaces, implement science-informed, nature-based solutions, and nurture a growing network of young conservation advocates nationwide.
Castro’s participation at the Blue Wave Conference significantly advanced the visibility of Philippine initiatives under GMAP and NBCAP, reinforcing international recognition of the country’s integrated approach to mangrove restoration, youth mobilization, and blue carbon policy development. The networks formed during the conference opened pathways for future regional collaboration, including joint research initiatives, youth capacity-building programs, blue carbon monitoring efforts, and community-led pilot projects aligned with the goals of the UN Ocean Decade.
The 2025 Blue Wave Conference underscored the critical role of young leaders in shaping the future of ocean science and governance. Through his engagement, Castro helped elevate the voice of the Philippines in regional and international conservation dialogues, reaffirming that effective marine stewardship is rooted not only in scientific advancement, but also in strong community engagement, inclusive leadership, and sustained youth participation.
By representing the perspectives of coastal communities and youth advocates, he reinforced the importance of collective action in building a healthy, resilient, and sustainable ocean for all.
The event was jointly organized by a network of prominent institutions, namely the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association (COMRA), the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research (AIOR, SUSTech) and the Shenzhen Ocean University Preparatory Office, the Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University (SIGOU), the Global Ocean Capital Promotion Council of Shenzhen, the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), and the Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme (ECOP Programme).
Co-chaired by Shenghui Li of Guangdong Ocean University and ECOP-China, Evgeniia Kostianaia of the ECOP Programme, Yiming Luo of SUSTech, and Lin Cui of the Marine Technology Innovation Center–Yangtze Delta, the conference underscored the importance of inclusive leadership and cross-sector collaboration among youth for ocean sustainability. More than 200 participants from 15 countries spanning Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America convened, creating a dynamic international platform for emerging ocean scientists, innovators, and marine practitioners to share knowledge, build partnerships, and put forward actionable solutions in support of global marine sustainability efforts. Source: UN Ocean Decade
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