The 5th National Session of European Youth Parliament Türkiye, Istanbul 2026, hosted by Istanbul University Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, brought together 110 participants from 12 countries to develop shared solutions for the future of the seas and the maritime sector.
The 5th National Session of European Youth Parliament Türkiye (EYP Türkiye), Istanbul 2026, took place from 18 to 23 July 2026, hosted by Istanbul University Faculty of Aquatic Sciences in collaboration with the EfxINNOs project under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme. A total of 110 students from different provinces of Türkiye and 12 countries in total gathered under the theme “Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of Marine and Maritime Management through Innovation and Cooperation.”
Over six days, participants followed EYP’s youth-led peer-learning model. In committees, they researched current marine and maritime challenges, negotiated different perspectives and drafted joint resolutions. Shaped through policy analysis, consensus-building and collaborative writing, the proposals were presented, debated and voted on at the General Assembly.
The Istanbul 2026 Resolution Booklet presents resolutions from nine committees. Topics included pollution and blue-economy cooperation in the Black Sea, PFAS, women’s representation in the maritime sector, autonomous ships, sustainable fisheries, shadow fleets, critical maritime chokepoints, cruise tourism and shipping decarbonisation. Key recommendations focused on joint monitoring and data sharing, science-based fisheries management, port and navigation safety, inclusive working conditions, investment in clean fuels and harmonised international standards.
Hosting the session at Istanbul University Faculty of Aquatic Sciences placed scientific evidence and ecosystem-based management at the centre of the policy discussions. The Faculty’s expertise in water quality, aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and living resources management was complemented by EfxINNOs’ work on autonomous and remotely operated underwater systems, environmental data analytics and joint monitoring. Participants therefore considered not only what should be done, but also which evidence, institutions and cooperation mechanisms were needed.
According to EYP Türkiye’s post-event figures, the session content achieved a social media reach of 80,000 and generated 60,000 interactions. By connecting science, youth diplomacy and international cooperation, Istanbul 2026 demonstrated how young people can contribute to policymaking as active stakeholders in the blue future.
About European Youth Parliament Türkiye
EYP Türkiye has been active in the European Youth Parliament network since 1999. Through politically independent, volunteer-led and peer-learning programmes, it supports young people in researching current issues, engaging in intercultural dialogue and developing democratic participation skills.
About EfxINNOs
EfxINNOs (BSB00193) is an Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin project co-funded by the European Union. It supports the transition to a sustainable blue economy through innovative marine monitoring technologies, joint data generation, technology transfer, institutional capacity building and evidence-based policy development.
Session Outputs
Istanbul 2026 Resolution Booklet
www.eyp.org.tr/p/istanbul-2026-resolution-booklet
