Watch LIVE YouTube Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNzpZCJi_4Q
On 7 July 2026, the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) held the online Launch Ceremony of the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN) 2.0 Fellows for Fiscal Year 2026. The ceremony officially introduced the 29 young environmental leaders representing the ten ASEAN Member States and Japan and marked the beginning of their journey under the theme, “Youth for a Plastic-Resilient Region: Action. Innovation. Transformation.”
The newly selected fellows will implement community-based initiatives addressing plastic pollution and related environmental challenges in their respective countries. Through training, mentorship, regional exchange, and project implementation, AJYELN seeks to strengthen young people’s capacity to transform environmental ideas into practical and measurable actions.
Welcoming the 2026 AJYELN 2.0 Fellows
Dr. Katrina Navallo, Head of Research and Policy Advocacy at the ASEAN-Japan Centre, opened the programme with an introduction to AJYELN and its objectives. She explained the programme’s role in connecting young environmental leaders from ASEAN and Japan and supporting youth-led responses to plastic pollution in their respective communities.
Figure 2 Ms. Keiko Omori (left), Director General of the Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan delivered her Opening Remarks, and Dr. Vong Sok (right), Head of the Environment Division at the ASEAN Secretariat delivered his Congratulatory Message to AJYELN 2.0 Fellows
The ceremony also featured opening remarks from Ms. Keiko Omori, Director-General of the Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan, followed by a congratulatory message from Dr. Vong Sok, Head of the Environment Division at the ASEAN Secretariat. Their participation reflected the continued support of regional stakeholders for youth engagement and ASEAN-Japan cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges.
Plastic Pollution Beyond What We See
The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Ryota Nakajima, Program Director of the Environmental Substances and Materials Research Program at the Institute for Earth and Materials Sciences, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).
Under the theme “Plastic Pollution Beyond What We See: Impacts on the Open Ocean and Deep Sea,” Dr. Nakajima invited participants to look beyond the plastic waste commonly observed along coastlines and in local communities. His presentation explored the presence and impacts of plastic pollution in the open ocean and deep-sea environments, drawing attention to the wider and often less visible dimensions of the global plastic pollution crisis.
The keynote provided the fellows with a scientific perspective on the environmental challenge they will address through their projects and highlighted the importance of connecting research, public awareness, and community-level action.
Official Launch of the 2026 Fellows
Figure 4 AJYELN 2.0 Fellows 2026 Cohort
Facilitated by Ms. Nurlatifah, Programme Associate, Research and Policy Advocacy at the ASEAN-Japan Centre, the Centre is pleased to introduce the following young leaders selected to join the 2026 AJYELN 2.0 cohort. Representing the ten ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam) and Japan, the fellows bring diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to addressing plastic pollution and advancing environmental sustainability in their communities.
| Country | Name | Affiliation | Team Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei Darussalam | Nabilah Azzahra’ binti Zamrin | Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA); World Food Forum (WFF) Brunei Chapter | Lautanita |
| Zuyyin Khairena binti Abdul Malik | |||
| Nukzukrina Ameerah binti Awang Marzuki | World Food Forum (WFF) Brunei Chapter; The Young SEAkers Brunei | ||
| Cambodia | Chansovichea Duch | Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech) | Coastal Pulse |
| Taing Haingveang | |||
| Ang Savatey | |||
| Indonesia | Bryan Akthur Alexander | Universitas Indonesia | BUMI Health Catalyst |
| Japan | Aiko Ishii | The University of Osaka | Octa |
| Taketo Kunugita | |||
| Lao PDR | Thitthiphone Olinh | Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome-Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU) | Precious Plastic Vientiane (PPV) |
| Tavanh Phetsaphaivanh | World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – Laos | ||
| Phoutthavy Xayyasone | National Univeristy of Laos | ||
| Malaysia | Umar Asyraf Bin Mohd Khair | Universiti Tenaga Nasional | Project Shore Up! |
| Amir Yusuf Bin Mohd Khair | Universiti Malaya | ||
| Myanmar | Sut Zat Aung | Sagaing University of Education | Moana |
| Shine Arkar | Yangon University of Education | ||
| Thein Htet San | University of computer studies, Yangon | ||
| Philippines | Jairus Ismael Ligones Chiu | Kabiling Lunhaw | Team Saulog |
| Jasmine Fleur Caña Joaquin | Holy Name University Central Student Government | ||
| Diosafaye Grace Arquillano | Bohol Island State University (BISU); United Network for Green Advocacy (BUNGA) | ||
| Singapore | Dang Van Trang | National University Singapore | Maikuro |
| Jasselynn Putri Ayu | |||
| Duong Ngoc Phuong Anh | |||
| Thailand | Saranyanee Rungwilaicharoen | King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi | Loopers |
| Pawarisa Bhurinuntakul | |||
| Donlapat Chuchuai | |||
| Viet Nam | Nguyễn Hoàng Mỹ Hạnh | British University Vietnam | ReLoop Vietnam |
| Nguyễn Tuệ Minh | Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam | ||
| Nguyễn Lê Bảo Nhi | National Economics University |
Messages from Youth Partner Organizations
The public ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Sarah Rauzana, Chairperson of the ASEAN Youth Organization, and Ms. Ashimine Yoriko, Vice President of Climate Youth Japan.
Figure 5 Closing remarks from Ms. Sarah Rauzana, Chairperson of the ASEAN Youth Organization (left), and Ms. Ashimine Yoriko, Vice President of Climate Youth Japan (right)
Representing youth partner organizations from ASEAN and Japan, the speakers welcomed the fellows to the regional network and recognized the importance of cooperation among young people in advancing environmental sustainability. Their messages encouraged the fellows to make full use of the programme’s learning, networking, and project-development opportunities.
Preparing the Fellows for Their AJYELN Journey
Following the public launch, the fellows participated in a closed onboarding session. The session began with an icebreaker entitled “Meet Your AJYELN Circle” which provided an opportunity for the new cohort to become acquainted with one another.
The fellows will continue their AJYELN journey through environmental training, leadership and project-management capacity building, mentorship, and the implementation of their community-based projects. Their progress and results will ultimately be shared with stakeholders and fellow youth leaders from across ASEAN and Japan.
Through the launch of its 2026 cohort, AJYELN continues to provide a regional platform where young people can move from environmental awareness to action, innovation, and transformation—contributing to a more plastic-resilient future for ASEAN and Japan.
