Fifteen-year-old Reyyan Demiriz from Türkiye has captured first prize in the UN young writers’ competition, triumphing over 1.6 million entries from 65 countries. Her winning piece, described by Universal Postal Union (UPU) Director General Masahiko Metoki as a “tidal wave of emotion,” reflects the deep bond between humanity and the ocean.
Organized by the UPU in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and UNESCO, the 54th edition of the contest invited youth aged nine to 15 to imagine themselves as the ocean, in conjunction with the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. The competition aims to inspire global awareness of marine conservation, sustainability, and ecosystem interdependence.
In her evocative letter, Demiriz wrote, “You must remember, when I grow sick, the rain forgets its rhythm, the rivers run hollow, and the wind begins to carry sorrow instead of seed. When you heal the ocean, you begin to heal yourself.” Her words powerfully remind readers that protecting the ocean is not just an environmental duty but an act of care for all life.
Second place went to 16-year-old Phạm Đoàn Minh Khuê of Viet Nam, whose letter urged a filmmaker to highlight the ocean’s critical state, while third place was awarded to 13-year-old Kanlanfe Ingrid Ouali from Burkina Faso, who underscored humanity’s inseparable connection to the ocean’s health.
Dr. Matheickal, Director of IMO’s Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division, praised the young voices, noting that ocean protection embodies inclusion, diversity, and equity. “Every child’s dream counts,” he said, emphasizing that collective action can transform hope into tangible outcomes for cleaner oceans and safer communities.
Closing her letter, Demiriz wrote, “Care for me not as a chore, but as an act of love. And I will give back to you more than you could ever take; more beauty, more oxygen, more life…” Her heartfelt words leave a lasting reminder of the ocean’s generosity and humanity’s responsibility to safeguard it.
