11 Mar Lisbon hosts UN Ocean Conference from 27 June to 1 July
“We need to stand firm in our action path towards ocean health and sustainability. Oceans are a central part of the climate system and a source of resources for mankind. Today’s event is to draw attention to the fact that in June, Lisbon will be ocean” said the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Ricardo Serrão Santos, at the session to present the promotional video and debate on the UN Ocean Conference, to be held in Lisbon from 27 June to 1 July, co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya.
“I don’t want to let this day go amiss, International Women’s Day, without a word to the huge importance of equality in the ocean sector. Sustainable Development Goal 4 (ODS 14)– Protect the oceans, sea, and marine resources – does not exist on it is own. All the goals are interconnected for a single purpose: a proposal of action for peace and prosperity for the planet and societies, in the present and in the future”, Ricardo Serrão Santos added on the implementation of SGD 14 on the UN Agenda 2030, which the conference will focus on.
During the session, held at the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute in Algés, and co-hosted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the promotional video was presented, which aims to trigger civil society’s interest in the conference and SDG 1: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development”.
The conference programme and side events was presented by Alexandre Leitão from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the conference Organising Committee. The initiative also featured interventions by speakers from various areas of society: science, fisheries, blue economy, civil society, local government, and youth.
“Informed citizens will support the effective implementation of political decisions concerning our seas, based on the best available knowledge. To mobilise the scientific community, academic institutions, the private sector, NGOs, philanthropic, civic, youth and child associations, as well as the entire civil society and social partners is detrimental to the success of ocean action”, the Minister of Maritime Affairs reiterated.
The vent included messages from the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson.
The session can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/watch