WWF-PH Executive Director Katherine Custodio expressed her appreciation for Mejia’s remarkable achievement and for being an inspiration for the Filipino youth.

“Our work in addressing issues of environment is intergenerational. As the ones who will inherit our planet, our youth are our most important stakeholders. Their voices and ideas need to be heard and they need to be active participants in finding and implementing solutions. I am so grateful and hopeful that we have leaders in our National Youth Council who at such a young age are already making a big difference for the future of the planet.  I would like to commend Gab, together with the rest of the WWF-PH NYC, for devoting time and their considerable talents in the service of our cause and country. Gab’s award is a great honor and is truly well-deserved.” Custodio said.

Awarded alongside Mejia is Mutetelenu Kalama, a 29-year old activist who started her journey ten years ago as a Climate Change Child Ambassador for the United Nations Zambia where she initiated environmental activities that saw over 1,000 children trained to become climate change ambassadors in their schools and communities. She has gone on to co-found the Agents of Change Foundation - where she currently serves as executive director - a local NGO active in using radio across Zambia as a tool for sparking conversations and raising awareness on social and environmental issues.

“The past year has shown us how important our relationship with nature is and how its neglect can cause irreversible damage. Seeing Mutetelenu and Gab’s passion and outstanding leadership skills towards solving some of our most pressing planetary problems gives me hope that young people have a unique opportunity to help solve both the climate emergency and nature crisis. The next generation will determine the future of our planet and I hope they inspire the change we need to see for people, nature, and climate,” said Pavan Sukhdev, President, WWF International.

Established in 2012, the WWF International President’s Youth Award is the global conservation organization’s top accolade recognizing exceptional leadership in young conservationists from around the world which acknowledges and encourages outstanding achievements of young people under the age of 30 who are making significant contributions to nature conservation. Nominations are invited annually via WWF offices around the world.