UNAIR NEWS – Fathi Falah, a student from Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Public Health (FKM), was selected to represent the university at the Asia Youth Green Summit 2025. Chosen from among thousands of applicants worldwide, Falah joined 49 other young leaders at the summit, which took place on Sunday (May 4, 2025) in Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta. The event brought together youth delegates from a diverse range of countries, including Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Timor Leste, Pakistan, Cambodia, the Philippines, and South Africa.
Falah said his passion for environmental issues and commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inspired him to take part in the summit. “I’m deeply concerned about environmental challenges and the SDGs. I believe the youth play a crucial role in driving meaningful change. This forum offered a chance to learn from global experts and inspiring young leaders while also contributing my own ideas for a greener and more sustainable future,” he explained.
Youth-led sustainable solutions
The summit centered around youth collaboration in tackling climate change through innovation, education, and leadership. “This theme is vital because climate change is not a distant threat—it’s a crisis we’re already experiencing. Young people need to take the lead in advancing sustainable solutions,” he emphasized.
Falah’s participation was not only a personal milestone but also a source of pride for UNAIR. During the event, he was recognized for his dedication and received an international award. “Alhamdulillah, I was selected as one of the Top 50 Representatives from Asia and Pacific countries and was honored with the SDGs Green Initiator Award 2025,” he said.
Falah actively engaged in international group discussions, particularly on community-based green projects. He also presented an initiative of his own. “I shared my proposal on strengthening environmental education through digital platforms aimed at youth in Southeast Asia. This idea stems from a paper I wrote about Enviro.id, a community initiative I launched,” he explained.
Learning and inspiration from global leaders
Falah described the opportunity to connect with renowned speakers as one of the most memorable aspects of the summit. “A standout moment for me was speaking directly with Putri Melliza, Putri Indonesia Lingkungan 2025, and Miss Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, Miss International 2024 from Vietnam, as well as many other outstanding speakers,” he shared.
Reflecting on the experience, Falah highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in solving global challenges. “What I found most valuable was the insight that international cooperation is key to addressing global crises. Young people have the power to create lasting change. Events like this don’t just expand our networks—they show us the immense impact we can have in building a better world,” he concluded.
Author: Mohammad Adif Albarado
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
