A Call to ACTION for Asia's Youth
The 2025 Asian Climate-SDG Technology Innovation HackathOn for Next-generation (ACTION) has successfully completed its semi-final stage, bringing together young innovators to address the urgent intersection of climate change and human health across Asia. Jointly organized by Tsinghua University, The University of Hong Kong, and National University of Singapore, this initiative directly responds to the millions of Asians currently facing deadly heatwaves, catastrophic floods, and climate-driven diseases.
The HackathOn is a key outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Tsinghua University and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in December 2023. This MoU was established to promote research collaboration in climate change and sustainable development, expand education and training activities, and unlock the potential of young talent. The ACTION HackathOn embodies WMO's commitment to empowering youth in climate action. The event has also garnered strong support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Asian Universities Alliance, and the International Competency Development Committee.
From Proposals to Finalists
Since launching in May 2025, the hackathon received over 40 high-quality proposals, with 12 outstanding teams advancing to the semi-finals through a rigorous preliminary review. Following intensive mentorship in September, teams presented their solutions during an online defense session on September 22nd. A distinguished expert panel, including Ben Churchill, Director of WMO's Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific, evaluated projects based on technical innovation, health impact, feasibility, scalability, and presentation quality. Five finalist teams have now advanced to the final round, each proposing cost-effective, replicable technological solutions to safeguard human health amid Asia's escalating climate crisis.
Next Steps
The five finalist teams will travel to Hong Kong for a Roadshow in October to present their solutions. Their journey will culminate in November at COP30, where they will showcase their innovations on the world stage. This presents a significant opportunity to demonstrate the leadership and ingenuity of Asian youth in tackling the urgent health challenges posed by climate change.
