The European Union will, for the first time, host the international “Our Ocean” conference, to be held in Malta, in the heart of the Mediterranean, on 5 and 6 October. Its aim will be to bring fresh commitments from across the globe on reducing marine pollution, managing aquatic resources, mitigating the effects of global warming, putting in place marine protected areas and assuring maritime safety.
The 2017 edition of this global event which stands watch over the sickbed of the oceans threatened by overfishing and marine pollution will be chaired jointly by European Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini.
In addition to international organisations, it will bring together ministers with responsibility in this area and representatives of the private sector, and personalities well-known for their commitment to the oceans, such as, for example, the Prince of Wales, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, Queen Noor of Jordan and Prince Albert II of Monaco, with whom Vella launched the World Aquarium against Marine Litter campaign in July, ahead of this fourth edition of the conference which is this year entitled “An Ocean for Life” (see EUROPE 11838).
“Global ocean leaders all. Together with researchers, the NGO community and entrepreneurs, they are here to make sure we use our ocean in productive, sustainable ways. Ways that guarantee its long term future, and ours. I’m sure that, just like me, you are frustrated by the growing presence of plastic in our ocean. Be it full bags, or even containers, or microscopic ‘beads’, it all adds up to a serious problem. Our approach is to act local and global”, said Vella on Monday 2 October.
He announced that “the EU is leading the way on designing tough new measures”. The strategy on plastics which is being prepared by the Commission is expected for this autumn as part of the action plan for the circular economy and also as a key strand of the forthcoming EU industrial strategy (see EUROPE 11869).
On the occasion of the World Oceans Day, on 8 June, the EU reiterated its commitment to implement the universal sustainable development goals and, in particular, Goal 14 – to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (see EUROPE 11804).
Since 2014, the Our Ocean conference has given rise to some 250 practical initiatives world-wide committing over €8.2 billion ($9.2 billion) and designating 9.9 million square kilometres of new marine protected areas (MPAs). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)