Improving the health of our oceans is a test for multilateralism: UN Chief
UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned that the state of the oceans will continue to deteriorate unless nations overcome short-term territorial and resource interests.
“Improving the health of our oceans is a test for multilateralism, and we cannot afford to fail,” Secretary- General Guterres said, addressing the first UN conference on the health of the oceans and seas.
“We must jointly address the problems of governance that have held us back,” he said, calling for a new strategic vision on how to govern oceans and marine resources.
The Ocean Conference opened at the UN headquarters yesterday. Protecting the oceans is among the main objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and conserving and sustainably using marine resources is the springboard for the Ocean Conference, taking place from June 5 to 9.
Guterres said one of the main challenges is to end “the artificial dichotomy” between jobs and healthy oceans: “The conservation and sustainable use of marine resources are two sides of the same coin”.
He called for strong political leadership and new partnerships, based on the existing legal framework, and concrete steps, such as expanding marine protected areas and reducing plastic waste pollution.
“I call on all member states to engage in the dialogue necessary to …read more
