Lisbon, 28 June 2022 (TDI): The United Nations is holding an Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal from 27 June 2022 to 1 July 2022. The UN 2022 Ocean Conference is co-chaired by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Furthermore, the governments of Kenya and Portugal will host the Blue Economy Investment Forum on the 28th of June 2022.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Liu Zhenmin, will act as the Secretary-General of the conference.
Whereas, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Miguel de Serpa Soares, will act as Special Adviser to the Presidents of the Ocean Conference.
“We have taken the #ocean for granted, and today we face what I would call an Ocean Emergency.
Our oceans are issuing an SOS.
They are struggling, heating and acidifying.
We must turn the tide,” @antonioguterres
tells 2022 UN Ocean Conference.#ClimateAction #SaveOurOcean pic.twitter.com/m0CGViPgKM— World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) June 27, 2022
Notable participants
There are important figures at the conference such as the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
On Monday, he encouraged the international community to commit and unite to protect and preserve our seas. He also offered important recommendations for ocean protection.
Other notable persons include Jason Momoa who is UNEP’s advocate for Life Below. Mari Elka Pangestu, World Bank(WB) Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnership is also attending the meeting.
Aim of the Ocean Conference
The world is currently facing many problems because of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is necessary to address these problems. The conference aims to discuss the challenges that oceans, Seas, and Marine life are facing.
This can be done through major structural transformations and common solutions that are based on Sustainable Development Goals(SDG).
The UN has put in place some treaties such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
The conference will discuss how to propel the necessary science-based innovative solutions. Some of the solutions for a sustainably managed ocean include green technology and innovative uses of marine resources.
There is a need to address the threats to health, ecology, economy, and governance of ocean acidification. Marine litter and pollution, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the loss of habitats and biodiversity pose threats.
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The importance of Marine life
The ocean also known as the lungs of the planet is a habitat for 80 percent of all life in the world. It is responsible for 50 percent of our oxygen supply and absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.
It also stores up to 95 percent of the excess heat generated from Carbon dioxide emissions. The ocean also acts as a carbon sink- an important buffer against the effects of climate change.
The ocean also supplies food, jobs, and energy resources necessary for life. It also nurtures incredible biodiversity.
Antonio Guterres proclaimed that it is important to examine the oceans if we successfully resolve crises such as climate change and food insecurity. Guterres said, “Sustainable ocean management could help produce as much as six times more…..”
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