The One Ocean Youth Panel is a global collective of young people aged 18 to 28, united in their commitment to drive international cooperation and action in response to the major challenges facing our oceans.
Bringing together members from across five continents, the Panel represents a vibrant diversity of backgrounds and experiences. It includes scientists, activists, students, and young community leaders from coastal regions — all deeply connected to the ocean and aware of its critical role in our shared future.
Launched in 2024 by the city of Bergen, the One Ocean Youth Panel draws inspiration from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy — a Norwegian-led initiative in which France also takes part. Its work aligns with the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, with the goal of achieving a sustainable ocean by 2030.
The Panel’s mission is to drive action in the face of critical ocean threats, strengthen international cooperation around sustainable solutions, raise awareness of the ocean’s vital importance, and ensure youth voices are heard in decision-making processes by highlighting their ideas and perspectives.
The One Ocean Youth Panel convenes annually in Bergen during One Ocean Week — a week-long series of discussions centered on the ocean, involving public officials, private stakeholders, and academic experts. In 2025, One Ocean Week took place from April 5 to 11.
This year, thanks to a strong partnership with the city of Bergen, France was represented on the One Ocean Youth Panel. French representative Valentin Brione — a master’s student at Sciences Po and co-president of the Sciences Po Association for the United Nations — took part in a panel discussion on social justice alongside former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
The young members of the Panel were fully involved in the week’s events, including meetings and discussions with Bergen Mayor Marit Warncke, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thompson, and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. The One Ocean Youth Panel also had the honor of closing the One Ocean Summit — the high-level political forum that opens One Ocean Week — with a powerful joint statement calling for greater efforts to protect our oceans.
The French Institute in Norway is proud of France’s involvement in this important initiative and commends the dedication of the One Ocean Youth Panel, which brings youth voices and their vision for the future of the oceans to the forefront.