Jeremiah Ugochukwu-Youth Advisory Council Member 2025-2026
About This Event
Jeremiah (he/him), originally from Nigeria but representing the DRC, a country he feels kinship with and advocates for. He wants to draw attention to how activities in the Congo Basin, such as mining, deforestation, and weak regulation, are destroying Africa’s largest rainforest and threatening the ocean. Growing up in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, with no ocean nearby, he still developed a curiosity about marine life and its wonders. Over time, he discovered that these wonders were polluted and poorly protected. Representing the DRC gives him a chance to spotlight how African issues, often overlooked, directly impact the health of our shared ocean.
Jeremiah is an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Scholar, a selected member of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Representative Program. Within WFF, he contributes to the Youth Assembly, the National Chapter, and thematic sessions where young leaders build consensus and draft youth-oriented policies. His thematic focus has been on ocean sustainability, women’s education, and climate change. He will also advocate for stronger ocean and climate action as a delegate at the WFF flagship event 2025.
Additionally, Jeremiah has led independent ocean literacy projects with students. Through tutoring and mentoring, he teaches young people about the link between climate and the ocean, encouraging them to care about an issue that often feels distant in inland communities. He has also advocated for ocean sustainability at conferences and Model United Nations sessions. While in Lagos, he observed the ocean was not at its healthiest, reinforcing his belief that advocacy must grow across Africa.
Jeremiah has already worked with climate and ocean advocates from the DRC and wants to deepen this collaboration. He believes the world turns a blind eye to what is happening in the Congo Basin, either because of limited awareness or language barriers. Research shows disturbances in the Basin, from deforestation to mining, pollute rivers and disrupt Atlantic ecosystems. Scientists estimate the Congo River carries nearly 7% of global river-borne organic carbon to the ocean, meaning land degradation there can alter global carbon cycles. These realities push Jeremiah to act: to bridge Francophone and Anglophone communities, raise awareness, and organize youth action that connects land to sea.
Looking ahead, Jeremiah hopes to attend law school and specialize in international law and diplomacy, with a strong focus on the Law of the Sea. He believes sound legal frameworks are key to protecting the ocean and giving vulnerable communities a stronger voice in decision-making. His long-term ambition is to utilize youth advocacy to build solutions that safeguard both people and the planet.
At the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council, Jeremiah plans to spotlight overlooked African issues like the Congo Basin’s connection to ocean health. He will expand his initiatives with other members, collaborate globally, and draw on expert guidance to strengthen his impact. For him, the Council is not just a platform but a place to begin long-term projects that ensure the ocean is valued before it is too late.