Maria Veronica O. Papa
Member, Youth Leadership Council (Philippines)
Maria Veronica “Oni” Papa is an advocate for participatory processes for young people in climate action and democratic governance. She serves as Global Communications Co-Lead for the UN Environment Programme’s Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) and Program Manager for the Asia Region at the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), where she leads programs that strengthen youth democratic participation and cross-border collaboration. Oni’s background includes policy research with the US-ASEAN Business Council and Policy International. She previously served as a member of UNICEF’s Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and now continues as a youth mentor with UNICEF East Asia and Pacific. Oni is also the co-founder of Kilos Ko Youth, one of the largest youth-run CSOs in the Philippines, and now serves on its Board of Advisers.