From Dhaka to Bangkok, Youth-led Climate Innovation Gains Momentum at the 🇺🇳 CS81 Net Zero Journey Event

By Sélim Denoux, Research Staff - UNESCAP

A Bangladeshi start-up, Ecolery, rose from local action in Dhaka to international acclaim in Bangkok, winning the “Generation Hope Goals (GHG): Action for the SDGs” Climate Innovation Competition with their edible cutlery solution to tackle plastic pollution. Their victory on the sidelines of the 12th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development and celebrated alongside 230 youth-led entries across Asia-Pacific, signaled a step forward for the recognition of youth-driven climate innovation, one that didn’t just end with awards but continued into action at ESCAP’s 81st Commission Session in Bangkok, where 100 edible cups provided by Ecolery were awarded as part of ESCAP’s Net Zero Journey Initiative.

Ecolery team wins 1st place at the Generation Hope Goals Competition.

UN staff try the edible cups at ESCAP's Net Zero Journey

Celebrating this spirit, UN staff, delegates and visitors enjoyed their coffee in an eco-friendly way, offering a tangible demonstration of how small innovations can make a big impact. The “Net Zero Journey” organized by the Environmental Sustainability Team of ESCAP aimed to showcase practical sustainable actions already happening at the UN’s regional hub from waste recycling and energy savings to carbon offsetting and beyond! 260 participants, notably the ESCAP Executive Secretary, Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt, the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, Ms. Friberg Storey Michaela, the ESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Lin Yang, and the Director of Administration, Mr. Stephen Cooper joined the interactive snakes-and-ladders game to explore sustainability in action!

From left to right: Mr. R. Khrueachotikul, Ms. Nantaporn Vuthikulpanich, Ms. Flavia Reale, ESCAP Executive Secretary, Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Mr. Stephen Cooper, Ms. Diana Park, Ms. Margo Acker, Ms. Maryan Blas Lobo and Mr. Mitchell Hsieh.

In line with the theme of ESCAP’s 81st session Commission, “Regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific”, Ecolery’s edible cups exemplifies a practical application of circular economy principles in urban environments. By transforming consumption habits and reducing urban waste, they contribute to more sustainable and resilient cities. The success of both the Generation Hope Goals and the Net Zero Journey initiatives reflect growing momentum behind youth-led sustainability efforts. By integrating youth innovation into UN gatherings, Save the Children, UN ESCAP and its partners are creating a bridge from innovation to action.

ESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Lin Yang sampling Ecolery’s sustainable cup

Ecolery's Cups ready to inspire. A tasty step toward zero plastic waste!

The Generation Hope Goals Climate Innovation Competition is a joint initiative co-led by Save the Children International, United Nations ESCAP, UNDP, UNFCCC RCC Asia-Pacific, Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP), the Tzu Chi Foundation, and ChildFund International.

Shout-out to the brilliant minds behind Ecolery: Shabiha Sultana, Nafesa Anzum Helaly, Rakib Hassan, CSCA™, and Yeamin Islam Tabin!

The recent activities in Bangkok stand as a powerful reminder that hope is not a passive feeling, but a call to innovate, act, and inspire.

Together, we are building the future, one idea, one edible cup, at a time. 🌱☕

Cheers to edible innovation and bold youth energy!

This article was originally published on LinkedIn here.