Joshua Belayan

UNDP Consultant & National Geographic Young Explorer 2024

Joshua is a consultant with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), specialising in Meaningful Youth Engagement in Sustainable Development. With a passion for fostering youth-led solutions to environmental challenges, Joshua has played a significant role in shaping regional and international dialogues on climate action.

He served as the lead for the ASEAN Youth for Climate Action Dialogue, which culminated in the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration, presented at the 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment. This important ASEANyouCAN dialogue, which focused on elevating the voices of young people in shaping climate policies, was officially incorporated into the 38th and 39th Brunei ASEAN Chairmanship statements as a key deliverable.

In recognition of his efforts, Joshua was selected as a National Geographic Young Explorer in 2024, an honour that highlights his commitment to conservation and youth empowerment. Additionally, he served as a member of the YSEALI Next Executive Steering Committee on Environment, representing the United States Mission to ASEAN. Through these roles, Joshua continues to inspire and drive impactful change in the global sustainability movement, empowering youth to actively contribute to addressing the most pressing environmental issues of our time.