“The ocean is life. Oceans are livelihoods and oceans bind humanity together through history and culture,” said the Secretary-General at a large General Assembly meeting. mark 40order anniversary for the ratification of the Convention.
He stressed the scope of the agreement, which ranges from “the air we breathe, to the atmosphere that sustains all life, to ocean-based industries employing some 40 million people, to living thing called home of the ocean”.
Conservation, protection, sustainability
Among the main provisions of the Convention are conservation of the world’s fisheries, protection of the seas, rights to resources within 200 nautical miles of national shores, and of increasing importance, sustainable and equitable management of mineral-related activities in international waters.
“As we meet today, the Convention becomes more relevant than ever. The ocean is in a state of danger,” warned the head of the United Nations.
He said about 35% of the world’s fisheries are simply overfished. Sea levels are rising as the climate crisis continues, and “the oceans are becoming acidified and polluted to the point of suffocation.”
Danger at sea
Coral reefs are bleaching, “historic floods” threaten coastal cities everywhere, and often, “people working in ocean-based industries do not have access to the support or safe working conditions they need and deserve.”
Greater ambition is needed, he told delegates, and the celebration should be “an important reminder to continue using this important tool to tackle today’s challenges.”
He said the recently approved Fisheries Subsidies Agreement needs to be ratified quickly, ensuring that all policies for the ocean are “underpinned by the best of science as well as economic expertise.” and the best society”.
That means bringing the wisdom and knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities to the Convention, he said, ending what he calls the plastic pollution crisis and signing next year an agreement. agreement on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national borders.
‘False dichotomy’
“It is time to end the false dichotomy between profits and protecting the oceans,” Mr. Guterres declared, adding that if we do not protect it for future generations, “no one can.” make a profit”.
He said governments should develop laws and policies that put protection and conservation first, while the maritime industry and investors should prioritize conservation, protection and conservation. climate resilience, along with worker safety.
“At every step, you can count on the United Nations to work with you to bring peace, stability and security to the ocean and its waters,” he told the ambassadors. . “Let’s safely pass these incredible gifts to the waiting hands of the next generation.”
‘The real success story of the United Nations’
General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi, recalled the commemorative meeting that the Convention was called by many as the “constitution of the oceans”.
“The fact that UNCLOS remains relevant as ever is a real success story for the United Nations. This document can be a great example of what can be achieved when multilateralism is done right. How global governance can and should be.”
He said “countless species and immense biodiversity” are facing extinction, amid rising sea temperatures. “And while the climate crisis threatens humanity as a whole, in the ocean context, small islands are particularly vulnerable and face no existential threat.”
He commended Portugal and Kenya for co-hosting the event UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon this past summer, addressing key threats to health, ecosystems, the economy and governance.
“I commend these efforts to mobilize action and find big conversions.
We need science-based, innovative and shared solutions that involve green technology and creative use of marine resources.”
