Els: MBN360 News
As marine pollution and climate change threaten oceans, global leaders and stakeholders have converged on Mombasa, Kenya for the 11th edition of the ‘Our Oceans Conference’. The event aims to drive actionable commitments and partnerships to accelerate sustainable ocean practices and strengthen global cooperation in safeguarding marine life.
In a televised speech to open the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Roundtable discussions, the Secretary General of Commonwealth, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said declining of the health of the ocean is a concern which must be addressed head-on.
She noted that while the Secretariat has taken steps to address the situation, all members of the Commonwealth can drive the needed change through deliberate efforts.
Statistics from Ocean Blue show that about 80 percent of ocean pollution originates from land-based sources with an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic currently in the ocean. By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish (by weight) if current trends continue.
In addition, plastic makes up about 85 percent of all marine debris with over 100,000 marine mammals dying each year due to plastic pollution. The ‘Our Ocean Conference’ therefore seeks to rally the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to avert the looming threat.
Secretary General of Commonwealth, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey while measures such as committing 50 thousand pounds to the Commonwealth Ocean Incubator and the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration which is a unified strategy by 56 member states to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans from climate change impacts, pollution, and overexploitation are a step in the right direction, they are not enough.
‘The facts are stark and the consequences severe. Marine pollution is increasing. A third of fish stocks are over exploited and climate change continue to bite. This must change. The Commonwealth has shown leadership for change and we are united around the concensus that we can drive the change, confront the global ocean and protect our planet and people through emergency action and international corporation’, she noted
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Kenya’s Minister of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Ali Hassan Joho, emphasized that the conference must move beyond mere talk and deliver concrete action to protect the oceans.
‘The purpose of this roundtable is therefore not to re-state ambition but to convert for our communities, our economies and our oceans, to shifts from activities to deliveries. Kenya supports the full integration of Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration into regional and national issues so that the climate resilience and the recognition of maritime boundaries and the equitable management of marine resources remains central to policies of every member state, he indicated’.
Former United States Secretary of State John Kerry who is the founder and a primary leader of the ‘Our Ocean Conference’ said the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal 14 which is dedicated to conserving and sustainably using the world’s oceans, seas, and marine resources should motivate all stakeholders to do more.
‘The progress of 30 by 30 is really but not enough. Africa as a continent, 60 percent of the population are young and under the age of 25 years. We owe it to them that we are fulfilling all the promises that have been made and all the possibilities that have been put in place’, he stated.
Hosted by the Government of Kenya and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the three-day conference which is on the theme on “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future will address six core areas. These are marine protected areas, the sustainable blue economy, the ocean-climate nexus, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, and maritime security.
