From Asia to the Middle East, 51Talk students spoke at UN COP30, sharing bold climate ideas and proving young voices can inspire global change.
In 2025, young learners from Vietnam, Thailand, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye stepped onto the global stage at the United Nations COP30. Representing their countries with confidence and purpose, these students proved that age is no barrier to impact.
At just 11 years old, Lê Bảo Nhi from Vietnam transformed her fear of speaking English into confidence within two months of dedicated practice. After winning the GreenTalk contest, she traveled to Brazil to share how plastic pollution on her local beach inspired her to act. Through recycling projects and clean-up efforts, she delivered a simple but powerful message: small hands can make big changes.
From Thailand, Wasuthida Rinkluean stood out among nearly 200 participants to become a national finalist. On stage, she spoke about ocean plastic pollution, beginning with the heartbreaking story of a baby sea turtle trapped in a ghost fishing net. Her speech highlighted the urgent need for responsibility and collective action.
In the UAE, Khaseeba Omar Alremeithi competed against more than 700 submissions to earn her place. Passionate about innovation, she proposed building floating solar islands made from recycled materials—generating clean energy while restoring coral reefs beneath them. Her vision reflected both creativity and determination.
Saudi Arabia was represented by two inspiring students. Sheddi Alharthi, motivated by his love for animals, shared the story of the Arabian oryx’s recovery and connected it to the Saudi Green Initiative’s conservation goals. Abdulmohsen Alsherihi addressed the silent crisis facing our oceans, reminding the world that pollution knows no borders and protection must be collective.
From Türkiye, Osman Batu Sivaslıgil earned first place in a competitive national selection in Istanbul. Speaking about wildfires and environmental change he witnessed firsthand, he called for Climate Labs in schools and “Climate Roofs” powered by solar energy. His message was clear: progress requires persistence, not perfection.
Behind each speech was a journey of growth—hours of preparation, one-on-one lessons, and the courage to speak beyond borders. At COP30, these students did more than present ideas. They built friendships, exchanged cultures, and showed the world that empowered youth can drive meaningful change.
When young voices are given the opportunity to be heard, they don’t just speak—they inspire.
