Dear Fairtrade Youth Champions

I am delighted to address 100 + youth gathered here from across the Asia pacific region.This reflects your passion for Fairtrade. Warm greetings to all of you. On this International Youth Day, I want to take a moment, as CEO of Fairtrade NAPP, to speak directly to you – the leaders, changemakers, and visionaries shaping the future.

You are not just the leaders of tomorrow – you are leaders today. Every action you take in your communities, every story you tell, every campaign you lead, is creating ripples that will define what our shared future looks like. And at Fairtrade, we believe deeply in one truth: The Future is Fair.

But fairness does not happen by chance. It happens because people like you make it happen. It happens when young farmers demand climate justice. When youth call for ethical sourcing. When social entrepreneurs build businesses that put people and planet before profit. You are proving that values and vision can change markets, mindsets, and lives.

In the Asia Pacific, we see extraordinary energy – We have young energetic producers from South Asia, SEA, Central Asia, China and Pacific. And we see youth like you turning local challenges into global inspiration. You are amplifying voices that were once unheard, and showing that dignity, equity, and sustainability are not optional – they are essential.

International Youth Day is not just a celebration – it’s a call to action. Fairtrade’s mission is built on partnership, justice, and empowerment, and your role as youth ambassadors is at the very heart of it. We need your creativity to connect with the next generation of conscious consumers. We need your courage to challenge injustice wherever you see it. We need your commitment to keep pushing for a trade system that leaves no one behind.

So today, I want to thank you – for your passion, your leadership, and your belief that change is possible. Keep telling your stories. Keep connecting across borders. Keep proving that The Future is Fair – not just as a slogan, but as a reality we create together.

You are the bridge between what is and what can be. And with you leading the way, I have no doubt that the Fairtrade movement will not only grow stronger, but will continue to inspire a world where fairness, justice, and opportunity belong to everyone.

 Wish you a Happy International Youth Day on behalf of Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers . – and let’s keep building that fair future, side by side.

International Youth Day is not just a celebration – it’s a call to action

Fairtrade’s mission is built on partnership, justice, and empowerment, and your role as youth ambassadors is at the very heart of it. We need your creativity to connect with the next generation of conscious consumers. We need your courage to challenge injustice wherever you see it. We need your commitment to keep pushing for a trade system that leaves no one behind.

Sincerely,

Bindu Sukumarapillai

CEO