The UPU is excited to announce the 54th edition of the International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People, taking place in 2025. This year, the UPU is partnering with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to inspire young writers worldwide to reflect on the importance of protecting our seas and oceans.
Since 1971, the UPU has encouraged young writers aged 9-15 (inclusive) to write letters on a given theme to win exciting prizes. The competition is an excellent way of making young people aware of the important role that postal services play in our societies. It develops their composition skills and ability to express their thoughts clearly. It also fosters enjoyment of letter writing and helps to strengthen the bonds of international friendship.
Every year, the UPU’s secretariat – the International Bureau – chooses and publicizes a theme. Participating countries then organize the competition at national level through the Post, often with the support of the educational authorities and media, presenting one winning letter to the international jury convened by the UPU. Entries must reach the UPU International Bureau no later than 5 May each year. The jury then evaluates the letters and selects the overall winners and candidates that merit a special mention.
More detailed guidelines for participation and international-level submissions can be found in the respective sections below.
Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone explaining why and how they should take good care of you.
This year’s theme addresses the significance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, specifically, SDG 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources. Through collaboration with this year’s partners, the competition highlights the UPU’s mission to promote literacy and communication through letters, while aligning with the commitment of the IMO and UNESCO to address the urgent need to safeguard marine ecosystems. This year’s theme invites young participants to give voice to the ocean, exploring its beauty, the challenges it faces and our collective responsibility for preserving it.
By participating, young minds will be encouraged to reflect on their role in building a sustainable future, raising awareness of marine conservation and the interconnectedness of ecosystems worldwide.
If you are interested in entering the competition, we cordially invite you to consult the Participants Guide 2025 below and to contact your national postal operator for further guidance about participating.
Member countries, UN entities, partners, and the public are invited to take part in this global initiative. To facilitate access to key resources, a dedicated Trello board for the 54th International Letter-Writing Competition accessible here.
This centralized platform will be regularly updated with essential materials such as competition rules and entry forms and other visual assets including official logos, event branding and social media materials to support the successful organization of the competition.
If you are looking for inspiration to craft a compelling letter for this year's competition, dive yourself into the resources below:
- Toolkits: Explore practical guides and resources from The Ocean Agency to enhance your understanding of ocean conservation.
- The 7 Principles of Ocean Literacy: Learn about the essential concepts about the ocean's influence on us and our impact on the ocean at UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy Portal.
- The Ocean Decade: Learn about global efforts to protect our seas through The Ocean Decade initiatives and how it connects people to the ocean we all share.
- Marine Environment: Explore IMO's initiatives to protect the marine environment, including preventing ship-based pollution and promoting sustainable shipping practices.
- World Maritime Day 2025 Theme "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity": Watch the video here to discover the ocean's vital role in supporting life on earth and why it's crucial to protect it.
Dr Jose Matheickal
Director of the Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division at the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
“At the IMO, we are committed to fostering a shared sense of responsibility for our oceans, recognizing it as both our obligation and opportunity. We believe that the voices of young people have the power to chart a sustainable future for our blue planet. Through their letters, children will not only inspire us with their creativity, but also remind us of the profound responsibility we all share to protect our oceans. Together, let us listen to the ocean’s call, reflected through the words of young minds, and turn their hopes into actions for a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.”
Dr Jose Matheickal is the Director of the Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division at IMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations. In this capacity, he oversees IMO’s wide-ranging functions related to the capacity development of IMO’s Member States. He also leads IMO’s engagement with its key global maritime training institutions, including the World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden and the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta, where he serves on the Board of Governors.
Jose holds a Master’s degree in environmental engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, and a PhD from Griffith University, Australia, where he was a Sir John Crawford Scholar. His key areas of interest include environmental science and engineering, technical cooperation and capacity development, innovation for the blue economy, climate change mitigation, green financing, technology transfer, and promoting diversity and inclusivity in the maritime sector. Jose is credited in over 100 scientific publications, as well as having an international patent to his name.
© UNESCO/Christelle ALIX
Vidar Helgesen
Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO) and Assistant Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
"This year’s theme is both urgent and inspiring, as the health of the ocean is central to the health of the planet. I look forward to reading letters that not only reflect the creativity and imagination of young writers but also their awareness of the critical challenges facing marine ecosystems. Through their words, I hope to see powerful calls to action, fresh perspectives, and a deep connection to the beauty and importance of the ocean. These letters remind us that the voices of young people can inspire change and ignite a collective sense of responsibility."
Vidar Helgesen initiated and led the work of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy 2017–2020 as Norway’s Special Representative for the Ocean, and was Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030 (“the Ocean Decade”). An international lawyer by training, Vidar has served as Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Minister for European Affairs, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He has also served as Secretary-General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). Prior to taking up his current role at IOC/UNESCO, he was Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation in Sweden.
Pascal Clivaz
Former Deputy Director General of the UPU International Bureau (2013–2021), Switzerland
“The future of humanity and the ocean are closely intertwined. As the source of all life on Earth, the ocean is reminiscent of the waters where life begins, which envelop babies yet to be born, as well as the discovery of new horizons on Earth and in space. I hope that the great diversity and the universality of the ocean will both be fully explored, as well as its ability to bring people together and unite them. From the children taking part in this letter-writing competition, I hope to see imagination, real insight into the importance of protecting the ocean and, perhaps, real solutions for our planet.”
Born on 16 August 1968 in Sierre, in the Swiss canton of Valais, and hailing from Crans-Montana, Pascal Clivaz is an entrepreneur and currently Director of Clivaz Conseils SA, a service company established in 1958. Previously, he pursued a career in diplomacy and international affairs, first at Swiss Post and then at the UPU. He held the position of Director of Finance and Strategy at the UPU for eight years, before becoming Deputy Director General of this UN specialized agency for nine years. From the age of 15 – when a humanitarian trip to West Africa had a profound impact on him – to the present day, he has worked to find real and long-lasting solutions to address the various issues he encounters (in particular relating to communications, health and the environment). As a public affairs consultant, he strives to resolve these issues by proposing innovative strategies and facilitating constructive dialogue between stakeholders. He remains very involved in economic and social matters in a number of Swiss cantons. Pascal is married and has two grown-up children.
Learn more about past competition winners here.
For any questions about the International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People, please contact the UPU team at Communication[@]upu.int.