UN chief urges collective action to ensure world’s oceans are healthy, productive

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the need for a “collective responsibility” to ensure a healthy and productive ocean that serves the whole planet, while speaking at a celebratory event marking World Oceans Day on Wednesday.

In his message, the UN chief recalled that the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, are threatening the health of the ocean, “on which we all ultimately depend”.

“Last month, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed that four key climate indicators broke new records in 2021: sea level rise, ocean heat, ocean acidification, and greenhouse gas concentrations,” he stated.

The ocean produces more than 50 per cent of the planet’s oxygen, is the main source of sustenance for more than a billion people, and provides work through its industries for some 40 million employees.

“Yet, ocean resources and biodiversity are being undermined by human activities”, he warned.

He reminded that more than one third of the world’s fish stocks are harvested at biologically unsustainable levels, a significant proportion of coral reefs have been destroyed, and coastal dead zones from land-based pollution are growing.

“Plastic pollution has reached the remotest islands and deepest ocean trenches,” Mr. Guterres said.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change, he flagged that “we urgently need collective action to revitalize the ocean.”

“That means finding a new balance in our relationship with the marine environment working together with nature, not against it, and building inclusive and diverse partnerships across regions, sectors, and communities to collaborate creatively on ocean solutions.”

Fortunately, he added, momentum around the world is growing in that direction.

Guterres recalled that last November, the UN climate conference in Glasgow (COP26) recognized the role of marine ecosystems in achieving the world’s climate goals.

In March, countries agreed to work together on a new treaty to end the plastic pollution that is threatening the marine environment.

Meanwhile later this month, he said that the UN Ocean Conference in Portugal will focus on scaling up action, based on science and innovation to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), on life below the water.

Discussions in Lisbon will continue on a new agreement focussing on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

“On this World Oceans Day, I urge all those with a stake in ocean health to come together to revitalize our seas and oceans,” Guterres said in conclusion.