SIDS commended for efforts to restore, manage ocean’s ‘rich resources’
Published:Saturday | June 8, 2024 | 12:08 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
Dennis Francis, president of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, has commended the efforts of small island developing states (SIDS) aimed at improving the sustainability and overall health of the oceans.
Speaking ahead of today’s celebration of World Oceans Day at a UN hybrid event, he stated that, in addition to finding ways to “reverse the damage being caused to our precious lifeline resource”, humanity still has a lot to learn about the oceans.
“We must urgently reflect on what we can do better to restore and sustainably manage the rich resources of oceans,” he said yesterday.
Over 70 per cent of the earth is covered by the ocean, which also generates at least 50 per cent of the oxygen on earth.
In addition, the ocean harbours the majority of the planet’s biodiversity and provides over a billion people with their primary source of protein globally.
However, Francis lamented the reality that “socially irresponsible” people were mistreating the ocean to such an extent that sea levels were rising, extreme weather events were becoming more frequent, and maritime heat waves were destroying coral reefs and causing ocean acidification, along with other imbalances.
He also condemned illegal, unreported, and under-regulated fishing, as well as all other extraction activities carried out on the sea floor.
“It is our joint responsibility to correct and recommit to sustainably manage the ocean’s precious resources, so as to ensure their availability intergenerationally,” he said.
This year’s theme is ‘Awaken New Depths’. The hybrid event, which was hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the UN, in partnership with the non-profit organisation Oceanic Global, aims to raise awareness of the ways in which humanity can work together to protect the health and welfare of the ocean.
Francis noted that, so far, some progress has been achieved.
The general assembly has established a preparatory commission to bring about the enforcement of the recent agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, he said.
“Further, I’m encouraged that negotiations under a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution are proceeding well, a treaty of critical importance if we are to achieve success in significantly improving the health and sustainability of our oceans,” he added.
Even so, Francis contended that other nations would do well to emulate the SIDS who “are at the vanguard of ocean conservation efforts and advocacy worldwide”.
“Their strength was admirably on display when nine SIDS … won a successful ruling from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea that carbon emissions can be considered a sea pollutant,” he said.
International reports are that this ruling, which was handed down in May, will require nations to take action to reduce the effects of carbon emissions on oceans.
The verdict has been regarded as a “historic”, one that would undoubtedly influence the trajectory of future climate cases concerning greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is not simply a win for SIDS alone, it is a win for the environment, for our oceans and seas, and certainly for all of humanity,” Francis said.
According to the UN, 90 per cent of big fish populations are declining, and 50 per cent of coral reefs have been lost, meaning that the ocean requires support.
His statement went on to say that humanity was simply taking more from the ocean than what could be replenished.
As such, in order to establish a new equilibrium with the ocean that does not deplete its resources but rather gives it new life and vibrancy, the UN is calling on people all around the world to work together to give the required support that oceans require.